As the new year begins, I think of the word NEW in life and especially the Bible. The word NEW implies health, freshness, wholeness. It also hints at changes from the past. I wonder what the new year will hold for me and you. I am sure it will be as implied in the above sentence, but I also anticipate new challenges, new struggles, new changes, new surprises.
The Bible gives us hope for our new year and the future.
Here is a sample of what we can look forward to:
God will do a NEW thing......Isa. 43:19
We will be given a NEW heart and a NEW spirit.... Ezek. 18:31
His love and mercy will be NEW every morning....Lam. 3:23
He gives us a NEW commandment....Jn. 13:34
We are NEW creatures in Christ....I Cor. 15:57
He has made a NEW covenant with us.....Heb. 8:8
We are given a NEW name......Rev. 3:12
We get to sing NEW songs.....Ps. 149; Rev. 5:9
The future is filled with all things NEW..... Rev. 21:5
Since God does not change, the NEW year will be in His care. Since the NEW year will be filled with fresh challenges, we are confident that nothing shall separate us from His love (Romans 8).
Since old doubts will come as winter storms, we anticipate that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
In our journey through 2024, may we not grow weary or fainthearted (Hebrews 12:3) but with NEW joy and strength bring glory to our God. Amen.
