A new year ahead of us with storm clouds brooding. Our country and many of its citizens are at their wits’ end.

Only faith can dispel the dark clouds and give us hope … and prayer is the key to a life lived in faith. Faith in God’s promises … for my life, my family, and my country. His Word stands true, no matter how I feel, am going through right now, see, hear, fear or worry about.

Part of living a life of prayer and faith is also walking in integrity. My talk must be my walk – walking uprightly, as Spurgeon so aptly states, “…steady perseverance in integrity, if it does not bring riches, will certainly bring peace. In doing that which is just and right we have confidence that every step we take is upon solid and safe ground. On the other hand, the utmost success through questionable transactions must always be hollow and treacherous, and the man who has gained it must always be afraid that a day of reckoning will come, and then his gains will condemn him.” (Chequebook of the Bank of Faith – 1 December)

Oh, how we need to encourage each other to walk uprightly in the new year and to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) and strength to “do what is right in His eyes”… not our own. Let us stick to truth and righteousness and let us never, on any account whatsoever, do that which our conscience cannot justify. And yes, our conscience must always respond to the truth, which equates to God’s Word.

“If we lose inward peace, we lose more than a fortune can buy … we may be thought fools by fools if we are firm in our integrity; but in the place where judgement is infallible we shall be approved.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

I would like to invite and urge you to make 2020 a year of passionate and tireless prayer, just like the sailors that called out to God when they were “…at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.” (Psalm 107: 27-32)

And when we are crying out to the Lord for His help, let us also encourage each other to persevere and not give up; to walk uprightly in faith and integrity, because only then will our walk be on solid and safe ground.

May God bless you richly as you and I seek Him passionately in prayer during the coming year. Walk fearlessly into the future, whilst always holding His hand.

On a personal note, please allow me to express a special word of thanks to my son Nico for encouraging me to “do the right thing” a few months ago when I was confronted by an ethical issue. By doing what was right, God rewarded me more than I ever expected. Soli Deo Gloria!