Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.

Till now the Lord has helped us

January 5th, 2012

A couple of days before the end of the year I asked a friend, “So, how was 2011 for you?”  He replied with a sigh, “I just want 2012 to get here.  I’m ready for a smooth, normal year with no bumps.”  I laughed.  “What is normal?” 

Sure, if there have been some huge difficulties, I can understand the desire for a bit of relief.  But really, has there ever been a year without surprises, changes, and maybe even some heartache?  I don’t think so.

 The prevailing sentiment seems to be all about forgetting 2011 and starting over with a clean slate, wishing for a better year.  I overheard people assuring each other that they were certain the New Year would be full of good things.  Of course, there was no basis for their optimism, just the expectation that life ought to be better than what they had just experienced.

 Taking our cue from 1Samuel 7:12, Marijean and I took time New Years Eve morning to look back over 2011 and rehearse God’s goodness.  In the passage, Samuel set up a stone of remembrance, calling it ‘Ebenezer’ saying, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.”  The past is a diary of God’s faithfulness and it’s a great read.  While others prefer to forget the past, we relish the opportunity to take a long look back, as if gazing down a favorite walking path, to marvel at God’s help at every turn.

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“Till now the Lord has helped us.”  We have not reached the end of our journey.  ‘Till now’ speaks of more to come.  Looking back bolsters our faith and fuels out hope for the future.  Just as God has helped us at every critical point in this past year and supplied all that we needed, so He will help us in all that we will encounter this coming year.  “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.”

13 Comments »

  1. And when tomorrow comes, we’ll be able to say “till now” again :-) … so glad that He who began the good work will carrying it on to completion. That doesn’t mean we know how exactly, but it does mean we know He will. Your words here ring true with a great reminder that He inhabits eternity while guiding our moments and days. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Nothing.

    So thankful for you guys and the grace God’s given to you and shared through you. Blessings upon you!

    Comment by Dan Page — January 5, 2012 @ 10:15 am

  2. Appreciate your insite on looking back and acknowledging Gods goodness in the past. Not to lament on the way we “used to be” but to pinpoint and highlight God’s obvious blessings along tyhe way.
    Thanks Steve and may God truly bless you in the days to come.
    God is Good! All the Time!

    Comment by John van Klaveren — January 5, 2012 @ 11:52 am

  3. I can relate to the desire for “no bumps” especially after the fianancial devistation of the past three years. However, it’s on the bumpy road we learn to trust God and aquire deeper faith. If we persevere and allow God to do His work in us, He will use us for a greater purpose for the glory of His kingdom somewhere down the road. I’m preachin’ to myself here as we begin 2012 unemployed…once again. Yet, I’m excited to see what God will do and where He will lead us this time.

    On a side note for you Steve: In conjunction with unemployment, Mike is currently serving as Interim Pastor for New Home Church in Patterson, CA and our pastor wants him to get licensed. Is God leading us into full-time ministry? We don’t yet know. But we are both willing to go where our Lord leads. So like I said, I am excited to find out what the Lord has planned. LOL :D

    Comment by Sandi Selland — January 5, 2012 @ 11:57 am

  4. Steve, great to see you blogging again.

    Comment by yankeegospelgirl — January 5, 2012 @ 8:44 pm

  5. Is there a ‘like’ button? hehe Very well said Steve!

    Comment by Jeff Hooper — January 6, 2012 @ 12:27 am

  6. This year past, 2011, in my life has been wow! Divorce, My Dad’s Death, Mom’s cancer….. Need I say more. In counseling the therapist constantly urged me to listen for HIS voice. I told him that the heavens seemed to be brass. My counselor quickly said, “Brother, you journal, ebenezer! Tears quickly came to my eyes for I love the old hymn, “Come, Thou Fount”. I know what Ebenezer is!!!
    Hitherto the Lord hath brought me”. I have clung to this in looking back at HIS faithfulness this year past. Already I am at a better place in 2012, yet all because of HIS faithfulness!
    Today I have been listening to Steve much on Pandora…. tears continue to flow! Thank YOU!

    Comment by Gaston Irby — January 7, 2012 @ 11:32 am

  7. In a ‘normal’ year I wouldn’t have needed or felt God so close to me every day! Or got the chance to have cherished memories of Steve Green at my church! Thank you both for sharing your love for my Savior and Lord with so many. I pray He continues the work in you, me and those we love! I believe God allows the ‘bumps’ so that we get a clearer view of who He is! My faith is stronger than it was in January of 2011 — God has to lead me though more changes and adaptation this year, too!

    Comment by Ruth G — January 8, 2012 @ 10:41 am

  8. I am reminded of the recording by Laura Story about blessings and that the very things that might seem like hardships could be God’s hand of mercy.
    Thanks for being authentic, Steve.
    May the Lord bless your ministry this year once again! Amen and Amen.

    Comment by Natalie Kleefisch — January 11, 2012 @ 12:40 am

  9. That is a favorite song and I plan on recording it next week as a duet with Wes King.

    Comment by steve — January 12, 2012 @ 9:08 am

  10. Thank you for all your years of continued, committed and Spirit-filled ministry! You music brings great joy to my ears and heart as I realize the magnificance of my Savior and Redeemer.

    My voice may be fading due to age, but my heart remains vibrant!

    Thanks, Steve!

    Comment by Bob Willing — January 12, 2012 @ 12:05 pm

  11. Happy New Year in the Lord, Steve !!! and thank you very much for this thought. It is a beautiful way to start the year, seeing how the Lord has been with us last year. Please post more often, it`s a great blessing. Athos from Buenos Aires Argentina.
    PS: I pray to the Lord in order to see you singing in my country in May 20th. I love all your songs !!!

    Comment by Athos — January 12, 2012 @ 9:44 pm

  12. Esteve thank you very much, still praising and glorifying God’s name as you did, God bless you.

    Comment by Esaú — January 16, 2012 @ 10:13 pm

  13. Es muy bueno recordar todas las bendiciones que Dios nos cada día y cada año que transcurre, si miramos para atrás siempre debemos hacerlo con gratitud a Dios en nuestros corazones, si algo triste o doloroso nos ha acontecido, debemos tener presente que la mano del Todopoderoso estuvo para sostenernos siempre!!! Es maravilloso saber que tenemos un Dios que se preocupa por nosotros SIEMPRE. Dios bendiga su ministerio, le da dado el maravilloso talento del canto y un carisma cristalino que se puede transmitir solo cuando se está tomado cada día de la mano de Dios!!! Su hermana en Cristo: Isabel

    Comment by Isabel M. de Luiz — May 20, 2012 @ 3:30 pm

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