A Puritan Year-End Reflection
William Jay was a Puritan minister who lived from 1769 to 1853. The following is from his devotional work titled Morning Exercises.
It can never be more proper to exercise gratitude and confidence than at the interesting period of the last day of the year; when we are naturally and unavoidably led to think of the past and the future. Let us therefore follow the example of Paul [in Acts 28:15]: let us thank God, and take courage.
What can be more reasonable than to thank God when we review the past? While many have been cut off, we have been carried through another year in safety. We have been exposed to accidents and disease, as have they who are now in the dust; and our frame has been as delicate, as frail as theirs. But we are the living, the living to praise Him, as it is this day: and all our bones can say, Who is a God like unto thee? …We have been fed at his table, and clothed from his wardrobe. We have had, not only the necessaries, but the comforts and the indulgences of life. He has give us richly all things to enjoy. He has made the outgoings of our mornings and evenings to rejoice. He has given us the succession of the season. He has blessed the springing of the earth… He has blessed us not only personally, but relatively. He has been the benefactor of our families and our friends. Yea, he has blessed us, not only in the kindness of his providence, but in the means of his grace. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits!
We have had trials; but even these, if properly reviewed, will increase gratitude. They have been few, compared with our comforts. They have been light, compared with the sufferings of others… They have weaned us from the world. They have told us that this is not our rest. They have also told us that he knows how to support and to deliver… Gratitude for these things should induce me to dedicate myself to his service, and walk before me in newness of life.
And what can be more reasonable than to take courage when we look forward? We enter on the new year, not knowing what a day may bring forth… Duties will arise, and we must meet their claims. Afflictions may arise - indeed they are almost unavoidable. Does not every path of life lead through a vale of tears? Is not every thing here uncertain? My health may be assailed. My friends may be removed. This year I may die.
But I will pore on this no longer. I will not sour my present mercies by suspicion, or fear, or anxiety. It is my duty, it is my privilege, to cast all my care on Him who cares for me. I take courage from his former grace. Has he ever forsaken or forgotten me? Because he has been my help, therefore, under the shadow of his wings I will rejoice. I take courage from his providence. I am not in a fatherless world. Nothing is left to chance. My ways are continually before Him; and the very hairs of my head are all numbered. I take courage from his power. Nothing is too hard for him. He can make even my enemies to be at peace with me. He can render every loss a gain. He can make all things work together for my good. I take courage from his promises. They are all faithfulness and truth. And what case do they leave unnoticed, unprovided for, from which despondency can spring?
I will therefore trust, and not be afraid. I will go forward, cheerfully, with Him who has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”