Happy New Year

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24.

Ready or not, we have entered a new year. If you are like me, you are wondering just what it will hold. In our area, we are under a lot of restrictions and this time they are affecting the church more than they have in the past. As we look back over the past two years, we know that the Lord was not taken by surprise. He knew what was going to happen, and He had the church prepared to meet the challenge. We know for sure God has already prepared what we will need in this coming year.

Many today will be making resolutions – planning just how they are going to change their lives in areas of diet, exercise, and other things. Statistics show that most of these resolutions will only last for a few days or weeks. That idea that sounded so good on January 1, is not as attractive as the days go by.

Rather than making resolutions that we cannot keep, a better idea is to pick some scripture verses that tell us what God has already provided for us to help us make this a good year. Read them regularly, meditate upon them and claim them as your own.

1. Peace – John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
2. Strength – II Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee:’ for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
3. Emotional stability – II Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
4. Freedom from Fear – Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

We have no idea what the year will bring, but we do know we will find a way because the Lord is with us, and He will bring us through. He has given us everything we need to overcome.

Prayer: Jesus, we enter 2022 trusting that you have gone before us and prepared the way. You know exactly what each day will bring, and we place ourselves in your hands.

Devotion by Anne Johnston