Hope for a New Year

So here we come to the end of 2009. One day left. Then onward into 2010.

Wow! Who would have thought 2010 would come so soon? Thinking back to my childhood, reaching 2010 was as improbable as living next door to the Jetson’s in a floating home, while a robotic maid cooked dinner at the press of a button. But here it is…the future…and I’m still living in a house grounded by a foundation and cooking dinner with my own two hands.

It’s interesting how mankind looks at the future with anticipation and promise. Sure, there’s still a fair share of doomsdayers lurking in the crevices with their movies and books projecting Armageddon in skewed fashion, but overall the New Year is a time when people contemplate their future…with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 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 . Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity…”

How cool!

If 2009 was a bit rough around the edges, if you feel tired and worn out by life, if there are parts of your past or present you’re having a hard time dealing with and/or forgiving yourself or others for, remember God promises us plans for hope and a future. A clean slate. A new year. For …as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:12)…therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

May the LORD give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness—an abundance of grain and new wine.* May He richly bless you, lead you, provide for you, pour out His grace upon you, give you peace, and provide for you hope and a future in the coming New Year!


* Genesis 27:28