Although for some, 2024 can be an exciting year because new opportunities or new beginnings await us, for others, 2024 can be very difficult, perhaps many things that happened in 2023 that will affect the coming new year. For example, losing loved ones, financial difficulties, relationship challenges, health issues, or loneliness. No matter what the reason, it is affecting us to welcome 2024 with fresh hope. Our situations can affect our perceptions, and it is difficult for us to see a new horizon. We feel like it is going to be another routine of suffering. The wonderful thing about a New Year is that it is preceded by Christmas celebrations, where we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. It reminds us of the birth of our Savior, who saved us from our sins and would take care of us forever. God sovereignly put Christmas festivities before we face a new year to remind us that He is our Emmanuel, who will be with us forever.
God wants us to look 2024 through the lens of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was not born for no reason. He was born to save us from sin and misery and to give us eternal hope. Let us not fix our eyes on our problems, but we need to look up to God so that we may see hope in the coming new year. We have to look up to God and must believe in His care and love. We must allow His promises in the Bible to bring peace and joy to our hearts. Christianity is about walking in faith in God. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." Our faith in God will give us fresh hope because we are putting our anchor in God instead of our problems. Thus, it will give us the confidence to face tomorrow, regardless of what happens.
If we want to enter 2024 with confidence, joy, and peace, we must enter it with our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Savior who can save us from our problems, miseries, and sins. Let us hold on to Christ, who loves and cares about us.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you). How do I face 2024 with confidence? Why is it very important for me to walk by faith? Am I willing to walk in faith and put my anchor in Jesus?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for reminding me this morning to look at 2024 through the lens of my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. To welcome 2024 with confidence, knowing that you will be with me all throughout the coming year and beyond. I praise you for all your promises. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.