Wisdom of the week

"HOPE FOR THE NEW YEAR"

     On Positive Life Radio this past weekend, the suggestion was made that rather than making New Year's resolutions, the majority of which are broken by mid-February, that we pick one word (like "improve," or "trust," or "faithful" or "honor")  through which we filter everything this coming year. Great idea!  I think, for me, "Hope" would be a good "filter" for the events that will unfold this coming year, many of which are out of my control. 

     At the beginning of each new year, we talk about fresh starts, new goals, new attitudes and actions. Yet nothing really changes just because the date does--same heart, same world, same struggles. The new year does not have the power to make us new--only God does!  "A new calendar cannot fix an old heart."

     So by "hope," I am not speaking of worldly, human hope which is mere wishful thinking ("I hope the Seahawks win the Superbowl"). I speak of biblical hope which is confidence in the unchanging character and promises of God. It is a deep-seated assurance that what God has promised, He will do, for "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent (change His mind); Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good" (Nu. 23:19 cf Psa. 110:4; Ro. 4:21; II Cor. 1:20; I Thes., 5:24).  Biblical hope says, "Because of Christ, my future is secure regardless of what this new year holds. "How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God; who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them" (Psa. 146:5,6). "For You are my hope; O LORD God, You are my confidence from my youth" (Psa. 71:5). 

     God doesn't just offer improvement, He brings renewal. He doesn't merely give you a "mulligan" for a fresh start, but transforms you. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature, the old things passed away, behold new things have come" (II Cor. 5:17). God's work of renewal doesn't begin on January 1st of each new year; it began at the cross and the empty tomb. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy, has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (I Pet. 1:3-5). 

     Our hope is in the person of Jesus Christ, who is unchanging and will never leave nor desert us (Heb. 13:5,8). "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast..." (Heb. 6:19a).  

     This year each of us will experience many changing circumstances which may press hard against us, but Christ is our "anchor," He is our "constant." I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future, and He is holding me in His hand (Jn. 10:26). 

     This year, rather than resolutions, focus on renewed reliance and Spirit-led transformation. Fix your hope on Him. Filter everything that comes your way through your hope in Christ Jesus,  and His imminent return (Tit. 2:11-13). "My hope is in You, Lord." "Hope is like the sun which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us" (Samuel Smiles).  Man's way leads to a hopeless end, but God's way leads to an endless hope (Pr. 14:12).  HOPE: "Heavenly Optimism Prior to Evacuation" (Col. 1:27). Why not make biblical HOPE  your word for 2026!   Filter every experience and circumstance through your Hope in Christ.

Forever His,
Pastor Dave N

"And now may the God of hope fill you with all joy in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Ro. 15:13).