In the British Museum of London is an old mariner’s chart drawn in 1525, which outlines the North American coastline and the surrounding waters. The cartographer, no doubt inspired by the folklore of the natives of that area, penned some rather ominous notations on yet unexplored areas of the map. “He wrote: ‘Here be giants,’ ‘Here be fiery scorpions,’ and ‘Here be dragons.’ Eventually, the map came into the possession of Sir John Franklin, a British explorer in the early 1800s. Scratching out the fearful inscriptions, he wrote these words across the map: ‘Here is God.’”

In our enlightened age, superstitious warnings of giants, scorpions, and dragons give us more cause to chuckle, than for alarm. However, fear of the unknown and uncharted future still fills many with a bit of trepidation and insecurity. Nevertheless, there is hope; for as Sir John Franklin surmised, whatever impending dangers of life, real or imagined,  the child of God may face, he can safely conclude, “Here is God.” Though sickness, or medical issues might await you this year, “Here is God.” Though financial setbacks perhaps loom before you this year, “Here is God.” Though separation and loneliness may assail you this year; even here, one may confidently affirm, “Here is God.”

The omnipresent God who loves you, has promised, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5c). This loving heavenly Father encourages you to respond to every scary situation and crisis circumstance in the same way: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). To put this another way, Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

As we face a new year with our faith resting resolutely in our ever-present and faithful God, let us share the heart attitude of Frances R. Havergal, that great hymn writer of years past, who said the following:

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with thee.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness,
The glory of thy face.

Another year of leaning
Upon thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,
Of witness for thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven,
Another year for thee.