A BLESSED 2026

Happy New Year, everyone! Lamentations 3:22-24 says, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" Although 2025 is now in the past, one thing remains true: God is still God. He remains true and faithful to sustain us. As we are now in 2026, let us remember that God will remain true and faithful to us. His mercies flow like a river that never runs dry. No matter what happens this new year, let us not worry because God will always be with us. God has given us another new year to give us a brand new start. When the book of Lamentations was written, the city of Jerusalem had just been destroyed by the Babylonians. The prophet Jeremiah was in mourning because the Israelites lost everything. However, Jeremiah realized that no matter how bad it could be, God would remain faithful, and His mercies never cease. They are new every morning. 

Let us put our hope and trust in our God in 2026. As He carried us through 2025, He will carry us through this new year. Although we do not have control over the economy and the things that happen around us, our lives are always in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." God wants to carry all our burdens and rest in Him. If we are concerned about our finances, health, career, jobs, and future in general, let us give all those worries to God, for He cares about us. Throughout this new year, God will remain faithful to us because Great is His faithfulness. No matter how low we can fall, God is powerful to pick us back up and give us hope. Do not let worry control our minds, but let our faith in God carry us through. I am excited about what God has for us this year. Let us be optimistic and not doubtful or fearful. God is always with us.

The God who cared and sustained us in 2025 is the same God who is going to take care of us and provide everything that we need in this new year. Let us be optimistic this new year, for our hope is not based on the things that happen in this world, but our hope is based on God's faithfulness, love, and mercy. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Where does my hope come from as we begin this new year? Who will be able to support me in this new year? Should I be concerned about my life in this new year? Why? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I praise and thank you for your faithfulness, love, grace, and mercy. Thank you for taking care of me and providing everything that I need in 2025. And now, as I enter 2026, please help me to trust your faithfulness and love. Please help me to be optimistic because my hope is not based on the things that are happening in this world, but my hope is in you. You are God, and You are always in control of everything. May you please bless me and my families this new year. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.