New Year

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

A friend called me recently to wish me “Happy New Year”. He explained that at this time of year he goes through his contacts list and makes these calls. I was honored to receive his call and grateful for his concern. He prayed with me and read that verse from Romans. He is not the first person who has reminded me of that verse. Another friend I had visited during the holidays also referred to it. It seems like a perfect motto to live by this year.

The next morning, as I sat at my desk observing the dark clouds, I saw bits of light beginning to shine through. Those slivers of golden sunshine reminded me that the sun is still shining, though I may not see much of it. Dark days do eventually turn to sunny days. I think hope is a little like that, sometimes it is just a glimmer. But that glimmer reminds us there is more. Hope can grow stronger.

In this new year, of 2021, our days are just as uncertain as they were in 2020. We do not know what will happen, whether things will be better or worse than last year. I suspect there will be some things better and some things worse. Isn’t that how most years progress? We have no assurance of better days ahead, but we do have assurance of Who will go with us through those days-good or bad. We have a God of hope! We have a God we can trust!

Our God is mighty and loving and compassionate! He deserves our praise and our trust. He wants to fill us with joy and peace, and He wants us to overflow with hope. I want that, too, but sometimes the trust is hard. That Romans verse says, “as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope.” We must trust the God of hope to overflow with hope!

I’ve discovered some days take more prayer and more time spent reading God’s Word so I can trust more. Prayer and Bible study allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life and make me more aware of His Presence. I also have a better perspective on what is happening in the world.

It is true we have no assurance of better days this year, but we do have the assurance that the best is yet to come.  This world is not our final home. God is preparing a new heaven and a new earth!

I pray for many good things to happen in this year. I pray we, as God’s people, will stand firm in our faith, depend on God for our strength and wisdom, and in all matters to be obedient to His will.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Happy New Year!