As we begin a New Year, let’s reflect on this Scripture: ‘The land which you go to…is not like the land…from which you have come…the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord...are always on it, from the beginning...to the very end of the year’ (v.10-12 NKJV). For the next few days, let’s take a closer look at these verses and discover how they can help us look forward to the New Year that lies ahead. ‘The land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come.’ For the Israelites, Egypt was a place of stress, sorrow, and struggle. But Canaan, the land they were heading for, was a place of God-given success, self-worth, and spiritual growth. Jeremiah said: ‘Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 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!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him’ (Lamentations 3:21-25 NLT). This year doesn’t have to be like last year. We don’t have to dread what lies ahead, because we can put our trust in God, who loves us and has a plan of goodness for each of us. This year, let’s intentionally seek God and experience His love, mercy, faithfulness and goodness in our lives like never before.

What Now?

For the first few days of this New Year, get together or set up a video chat with a group of friends or family and pray with and for each other. Today, spend time praying that you would all intentionally seek God this year.