Encouragement for the New Year
Happy New Year – we made it this far and for some of us this is an understatement. We survived some 2021 tragedies, and we now look forward to a new year. A new year brings with it new hopes and aspirations, we get a chance to start anew. We also know that things on the other side are uncertain. We really don’t know what the future looks like. The pandemic is not over yet, and we all have other personal challenges on top of that. Rather than making predictions or promises that I will not keep, I will share a promise – a promise from God’s Word. This is a prayer written by King David and in it, he shows confidence in God – specifically that God will deliver him from all those who conspire to bring him down. Psalm 27 starts likes this:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (ESV translation)
I hope 2022 is a better year – I am really hoping for that! The truth is that 2022 or any other day or year will bring its own challenges. Challenges that at times will shake us to the core. Challenges that will push us to give up on our faith in God. In those times, we need something stronger than us to keep us grounded and that is God’s Word and all of God’s promises in it. In those moments of darkness, the Lord – the creator of Heaven and Earth – is our light. In those moments, when we think of giving up, the Lord is our rescue. If He is with us, whom shall I fear? Or, of whom shall I be afraid?
Friends, the foundation of our faith is Jesus, whose birthday we celebrated a few days ago. He came as a child, but grew up and lived a perfect life, and what’s more important, He took our place on the cross. The punishment for sin – whatever size of sin – is death! Jesus took upon himself my sins and your sins, so that you and I would not die. He promises to be with us all the days of our lives.
As this new year starts – as another day starts – let’s remember that, “the Lord is where my life is safe, so I will be afraid of no one!” (Easy to Read version). God is greater than any challenge we may face this new year. King David knew that. He had confidence in the Lord, the creator of heaven and earth. I encourage you to trust in God.
Happy New Year!
PS. Thanks for reading this blog. This is the first blog of 31 that I will be writing this month. I encourage you to come back to my website to read the next blog. These blogs will be written both in English and Spanish. Be strengthened in the Lord, my friends!
Credits: Photo by Danil Aksenov on Unsplash
Thanks, Pastor Dan!
I have a lot of hope for 2022 as well. While many challenges were faced this past year, and the year before, looking back it seems every year posed challenges for us (or shall I say me).
I think part of it comes from what we chose to look at – there is always a log of good happening amongst the not-so-good. And while I do not think we should be oblivious and turn away from the challenges, I do not think we should concentrate on the badness that seems to be everywhere.
I look forward to reading your blog posts this month!
You brought to my mind, that Jesus took my sin onto Himself, which caused God to forsake Him but God has promised to never leave nor forsake me. I leave God’s presence when I fail to follow His Word. I pray to ever follow His Commandments to abide in His Love and Protection throughout this year. What Great Love I have received from Him.
Thanks for your words of encouragement. My scripture of upliftment this year is, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18, 19.
This is just what I needed! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing and for reading the blog, Cheryl.
Thanks for your spot on encouraging words.
Thank you Jon!
Benefitted from and enjoyed your first two 2022 blogs., Pastor Dan.
Looks like I am still a beginner re: texts, as my responses apparently did not reach you, which is possibly why I have not had access to additional messages!?