Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you. – 2 Chronicles 14:11

Today's Scripture Reading (January 1, 2023): 2 Chronicles 14

Welcome to 2023. I wish I could tell you what is coming in the next twelve months, but I have no idea what might happen during this next trip of our planet around the sun. And I am skeptical of anyone who says that they do know. The year ahead will likely be a mixed bag of good and bad, celebrations and disasters. Some things we will probably be able to handle, but there always seems to be something that is beyond us and our abilities, and times when we wonder what God might be thinking by bringing these things into our lives.

One of the fallacies that many Christians seem to believe is that God will never give us more than we can handle. Friends have commented that they wish God didn't think they were so strong. But the Bible never tells us that God will never give us more than what we can handle. The actual quote is from the writings of the Apostle Paul.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

But there is a big difference between God not giving us more than we can handle and not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. And it is also not a declaration that life will ever be easy.

Asa had a problem. Zerah the Cushite had marched out against Judah with an army twice as big as what Asa had built to defend his kingdom. It seems likely that Zerah was a Sudanese General in command of part of Egypt's mobilized army. Zerah was a problem that was too big for Asa. Asa knew that he didn't have an answer for the trouble that Zerah was bringing with him. But he also had a good handle on what believing in God meant. He knew that his strength or weakness did not affect God's ability to move. Zerah wasn't Asa's problem; he was God's

And 2023 isn't our problem. Ultimately, 2023 might be beyond what we can handle. But it is not beyond God's ability to handle. So, as we enter into the New Year, we can have the assurance that God is already there and that regardless of what 2023 might hold, we can trust that God can handle whatever is coming. So, go ahead and celebrate a Happy New Year. And all the best in 2023.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 16