It is the end of a year and the start of another year. A new slate is before us– 365 calendar days for us to fill up with fresh stories, new footsteps, and praise-worthy victories.
Perhaps there are some of us clapping our hands with glee at the prospect of 2019; others doing the opposite: shaking heads, brooding with depression and anxiety, dreading how this year will unfold because 2018 was just too difficult!
Thrusting blind idealism aside, we can say that this new year will certainly have its set of challenges. I know of no man who can get through a year unscathed by tests, obstacles, mistakes, and grief. But as Christians, we have an upper hand over the rest of the world because of PERSPECTIVE; a perspective that no matter what happens, we have a BIG GOD who is faithful and whose heart and Word we can trust.
There are promises of God we can cling to. Many of them! One of them says: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” We have a God who will act on our behalf if we have committed our way to Him. Remember: He orders the steps of the righteous (Psalm 37:23). There is, therefore, nothing to fear.
And if we have blundered horribly this past year? Perhaps we’ve made mistakes and are suffering the consequences? We can embrace this: “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…” (Prov.24:16)
Life is full of rising. Just as the sun rises everyday, so too, do we rise for God’s plans for us in 2019. We do not lose hope.
God’s plans for us are kind and good. Another promise we can embrace for the new year is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” These plans are not based on what our eyes see, but on what God sees. Our shifting emotions don’t dictate God’s plans for us, either. Remember: God’s Word is truth; not our emotions or circumstances. In fact, we can speak to our emotions and circumstances and tell them to bend toward the truthfulness of God’s Word!
Let’s look at 2019 as a good year because it will be! Each day of this year (and our lives, really) is full of God’s promises to us. Consider the words of David: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6). All the days—each of every day—is filled with goodness and mercy from the Lord.
Therefore, as early as now, let us declare with certainty that 2019 will be a good year! Even if the mountains quake or the floods come—Christians can look at the New Year with a truth-filled perspective and thank the Lord for His promises.
Take time now to reflect on God’s goodness and mercy toward you. What promises can you embrace for 2019?
Janina Marie Rivera is the Editor-in-Chief of One Voice Magazine, a teacher of world literature, and a student of the Bible. She enjoys reflecting on life’s curve balls and plateaus. She resides in the Philippines, the country known for people who smile a lot.
