December 29 "Hitherto hat the Lord helped us" (1 Samuel 7: 12). The word "hitherto" seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy years and hitherto the Lord has helped us! Through poverty or wealth, sickness or health, at home or abroad, and in trials or triumphs the Lord has helped us! We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is pleasing to gaze from end to end of the long vista. Even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes "hitherto," he is not yet at the end. There is still a distance to be traveled. There are more trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; and more fights, more victories. Is it over now? No! There is more yet--awakening in Jesus' likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, and he infinity of bliss. Be of good courage, believer. He who has helped you "hitherto" will help you on your journey all the way through.