Daily Devotional January 21, 2021

Dave Barry is an author and columnist who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.   He has a brilliant way of using humor to convey incredibly deep truths about life.  I am a big fan.

In a recent interview, Barry called 2020, “A real poop show.”  I couldn’t have said it better.

I am incredibly thankful that we are able to say goodbye to 2020 and look forward to the possibilities of 2021.  But moving into a new year does not mean we have sailed past all the troubles of the past.  There’s still a lot to do.

The pace of vaccine administration needs to be dramatically sped up.  Our political officials need to start acting like grownups instead of spoiled children who refuse to get along.  We have got to find jobs for all the unemployed.  There is a desperate need for more assistance for those who find themselves on the brink of financial disaster through no fault of their own.  Our children need to return to some sort of sense of normalcy in school.  This is just the tip of the iceberg on the national level.

On the international level, we’ve got problems with Russian, China, Iran, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Venezuela, Mexico, the list goes on and on….  It’s exhausting.

The bottom line is there will be more chaos to face in 2021.

The good news is the One who walked us through the craziness of this last year will do the same this year.  This One is the only true stability in a world that is always filled with unending challenges and change. 

This is what the psalmist meant by saying, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”  (Psalm 121:1-4)

So buckle up.  While 2021 has got to be better than 2020, it’s still going to be a bumpy ride.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for walking with me through 2020.  Please guide me through 2021.  In the new year, help me live my life as a testament to your love and mercy.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Whatever this year brings, you won’t face it alone.  God will walk you through it.  I promise.

Also, in twelve months, I am looking forward to Dave Barry’s description of this year.  Let’s hope he doesn’t say 2021 was  “A poop show on steroids.” 

We can only go up.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins