My wall calendar tells a story. Each time I flip to a new month, the calendar provides a biblical promise or principle. A picturesque landscape of majestic mountains, scenic waterways or flower-filled pastures grab my attention. Then a scripture makes an announcement. The featured verse for this month steadies me. I hope it steadies you too.

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety” (Job 11:18 NIV).

In addition to being my birth month, September also announces the fall season. Perhaps you’re in a new season already.

Encountering a new person, place or situation has turned the page away from what’s familiar. And yet, the turning requires another level of trusting God. For each transition comes with its own brand of challenges and opportunities, or burdens and blessings.

My current season comes with the challenge of putting the past behind me. It comes with a call to forgive and to focus on how God restores and renews. Thankfully, Job 11:18 offers certainty for a new season. Take a moment and let it sink in.

“You will be secure.”

“There is hope.”

“Look about you and take rest in safety.”

If you know Job’s story, (Job 1-2) even his friends “saw that his suffering was too great for words” (Job 2:13). Job lost his children, his wealth, health, the support of his wife and friends. But Job’s suffering wasn’t too great for God. (Job 42) No one’s is. Not yours. Not mine.

A new season can range from recovering from a loss to embracing a new opportunity. And yet, in any situation, we can learn to trust God.

We don’t have to be at Job’s level of crisis to see His faithfulness displayed in our lives. As we reflect on the featured verse from my calendar, consider this:

You will be secure. Don’t take my word for it, take God’s. It doesn’t mean you won’t feel vulnerable. However, even during times of uncertainty or weakness, through Christ we can find security in His victory. (Romans 8:35-36)

There is hope. Despite what looks hard, hope whispers a promise. Something wonderful is on the way. And yet, if we can’t hear the whisper, hope is still speaking — because God is still God. He is the source of hope. (Romans 15:13)

Look about you and take rest in safety. As you look around you, what do you see? This might be a loaded question. The answers may reveal answers too heavy for us to bear, which may only lead to more questions.

But if we release the tensions in our heart and trust the heart of God, we can experience Him as our Refuge. (Psalm 62:8) We can live with His peace. (Philippians 4:6-7)

His redemptive plan always outshines the plan we have for ourselves. Even if we’re overwhelmed by the prospect of a new season, nothing is too hard for Him.

Yes, a new season will require a new level of faith; but it will create a moment of clarity. Then you will know you are secure. You’ll see glimmers of hope. You’ll look about you and see God’s grace and rest in Him as your safety.

PRAY: Dear God, In every situation Your truth stands. Your grace is sufficient. Your power overcomes every obstacle to Your plan. In my new season, help me to release a new level of faith. Help me to live in the reality that I am secure in Christ. There is always hope. May I learn to rest and abide in You, my Rock and my Refuge. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Joy to the Soul: “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety” (Job 11:18 NIV).