A brand new year! Spotless and full of promise at this point but also fraught with new challenges, maybe even danger. So how will we engage it?

To boldly step out and face 2018 without fear won’t be easy for some of us. We’re struggling with health problems that could become serious in the months ahead. We may not have what we think we’ll need financially. We may be dealing with unruly children or elderly parents or other relationship issues. Our work place is uncertain and full of stress. We worry about so much … our families, our schools, our government, and our world.

How do we march forward confidently into the great unknown?

Scripture says “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Joy is how we muster the strength to engage the future confidently. But it seems reasonable to ask:  With so much to worry about, things outside of our control, where do we find this joy?

Joy is found in only one place: the presence of God. That’s why it’s called “the joy of the Lord.” In Psalm 16 we find a wonderful promise: “You will fill me with joy in your presence” (v. 11).

David begins the psalm with the same trepidation we may feel as we begin our new year: “Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.”

But he recognizes something else — his relationship with God sets him apart from the ungodly who live around him. He has special blessings because He belongs to God.

“I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my hearts instructs me. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (vv. 6-8).

Sometimes we forget the enormous benefits we enjoy because we belong to God. In Christ, we are recipients of ALL the great promises of God (in both the Old and Testaments)! Unlike the Old Testament believers we aren’t looking forward to something we have little knowledge of. HE HAS COME! And in Jesus “no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Christ has fulfilled them all. Unlike the saints mentioned at the end of Hebrews 11, we don’t have to walk in faith without having received the promise (v. 39-40). We have all the resources of the Godhead to equip us for whatever the future brings.

This includes receiving a new heart and a new spirit, which were prophesied in Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The indwelling Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:26-27. As our Paraclete, He comes alongside to help us walk out our commitment to Christ.

Jesus assured His first disciples that it was BETTER for Him to leave them as a fleshly companion so they could receive the companionship of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because through the gift of His indwelling presence Jesus could promise the fearful disciples: “I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” (See John 14:16-18.)

I don’t think we’ve paid enough attention to the teachings of Jesus in chapters 14, 15, and 16 of John’s gospel. He was trying to prepare His original disciples for His soon departure and of course they were heartbroken at the idea of Him leaving them. They wanted to set up the Kingdom and see Him reign right away! But Jesus knew what lay ahead for them … and all of us to come. His followers would need the constant companionship of One who would come alongside to teach, remind, direct, convict, comfort, and strengthen them every moment of every day.

This is the resource we have in the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Yet how many of us have cultivated our relationship with Him?

When we think about this incredible gift we should be on our faces, tears streaming down and hands lifted in grateful praise. Only our faithful, loving Father could plan such an amazing and glorious way to bless His children. How sad it would be if we never acknowledged or received all He has made available to us. To go it alone in our walk of faith is like choosing to walk around in handcuffs and chains when we could be experiencing life in glorious freedom.

In the next few months I want to explore in greater depth how we can cultivate a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. It won’t be a rehashing over spiritual gifts or fruits, things we’ve all been taught about so often. It will be an attempt to better understand who He is and what hinders our fellowship with Him. I hope you’ll join me!

Begin today to ask the Lord for a greater awareness of all He’s given you in the gift of His Spirit. You may feel like the Twelve. You don’t want Someone else … you want Jesus to be your Companion! Maybe the person of the Holy Spirit has been a subject of confusion for you. Maybe He seems too mysterious and unknowable, so you are reluctant to seek Him out.

Jesus understood the original disciples’ concerns and He understands our misgivings too. But He assures us (as He did them) that the Holy Spirit’s companionship is just what we need. It is BETTER than even Jesus’ physical presence. “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).

Do we dare believe it? God’s promise has always been the same throughout the ages: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (God’s words to Moses in Exodus 33:14).

In His presence is everything we need for a confident journey: joy and rest. With Him we need not fear. He is our refuge and strength. Therefore, like David, I will “keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8).