JANUARY 2023.
HOPE FOR THE NEW YEAR.
The New Year is an opportunity for hope to be re-kindled in our hearts as we envision fresh approaches to familiar paths and consider new journeys on which to embark. We have good reason to be hopeful about 2023 because our sovereign God can bring any number of good things to pass, as He did for Abraham who believed in the promises of God with great hope in his heart (Romans 4:18). Yet, although God is absolutely sovereign and brings every promise to pass at the perfect time, we are not promised an easy road. If 2022 is anything to go by, we can anticipate many twists and turns and unexpected obstacles along the way in the coming year. There will be joyful moments, but there will also be painful moments when our joy dissolves like a mirage. At such times, our strength to continue must come from Christ who is our eternal comfort and good hope (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). He is our only hope in life and death, as we often sing, and He is the one whom John described in Revelation 1:4-18 as wearing the flowing robes of royal security and completed work. Our great and victorious King is interceding for us now and will welcome us into the place of perfect peace and rest at our journey’s end. Therefore we have eternal comfort and good hope both now and forever, so let us courageously press on through every challenge that 2023 presents us with, knowing that we never walk alone in this life because He is with us and we are together in Him.
The New Year is an opportunity for hope to be re-kindled in our hearts as we envision fresh approaches to familiar paths and consider new journeys on which to embark. We have good reason to be hopeful about 2023 because our sovereign God can bring any number of good things to pass, as He did for Abraham who believed in the promises of God with great hope in his heart (Romans 4:18). Yet, although God is absolutely sovereign and brings every promise to pass at the perfect time, we are not promised an easy road. If 2022 is anything to go by, we can anticipate many twists and turns and unexpected obstacles along the way in the coming year. There will be joyful moments, but there will also be painful moments when our joy dissolves like a mirage. At such times, our strength to continue must come from Christ who is our eternal comfort and good hope (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). He is our only hope in life and death, as we often sing, and He is the one whom John described in Revelation 1:4-18 as wearing the flowing robes of royal security and completed work. Our great and victorious King is interceding for us now and will welcome us into the place of perfect peace and rest at our journey’s end. Therefore we have eternal comfort and good hope both now and forever, so let us courageously press on through every challenge that 2023 presents us with, knowing that we never walk alone in this life because He is with us and we are together in Him.
One in Christ
Pastor Simon
