Thus far has the L*rd helped us. 1 Sam 7(12)

---and excerpt taken from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman.
The words "thus far" are like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Whether through poverty, wealth, sickness, or health, whether at home or abroad, or on land, sea, or air, and whether in honor, dishonor, difficulties, joy, trials, triumph, prayer, or temptation -- "Thus far has the L*rd helped"!
We always enjoy looking down a long road lined with beautiful trees. The trees are a delightful sight and seem to be forming a temple of plants, with strong wooden pillars and arches of leaves. In the same way you look down a beautiful road like this, why not look back on the road of the years of your life? Look at the large green limbs of G0d's mercy overhead and the strong pillars of His loving-kindness and faithfulness that have brought you much joy. Do you see any birds singing in the branches?
These words also point forward. Someone who comes to a certain point and writes the words "thus far" realizes he has not yet come to the end of the road and that he still has some distance to travel. There are still more trials, joys, temptations, battles, defeats, victories, prayers, answers, toils and strength yet to come.

The L*rd who "thus far" has helped you

Will help you all your journey through.

How fitting that this would be the devotional passage for the last day of the year! And what a year. We have journeyed from interviews and finishing up seminary days, to selling or giving away most of our stuff, saying more goodbyes than we can count, to packing up 15 trunks and moving our family overseas. We sit here tonight, on this first day of 2010 and WONDER what this year will hold. We are in an intensive language and cultural learning program that seems overwhelming most of the time.....we will surely be able to say it is because the L0rd has helped us that we will complete all of these requirements!! The Father reminds me gently that it is okay to wonder, but not be overwhelmed...that He has provided a trophy case to display His mighty works in our personal lives as we look into our past....that He has given us a promise to be just as faithful as we march onward. And so, we march, one step at a time.