Ending the Year in Faith, Beginning the Future in Hope Lamentations 3:22-23
Introduction
Today, as we reflect on the year behind us and look ahead to the year before us, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness, His guiding hand, and the hope we have in Christ.
Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (NLT)
This verse is both a prayer and a call to live wisely as we embrace the opportunities and challenges of a new year.
Together, we will explore three key principles:
Celebrate God’s Faithfulness
Commit to God’s Purpose
Cling to God’s Promises
As we journey through these truths, let’s open our hearts to His Word and let the Spirit guide us.
1. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT): "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
Lamentations is a book of sorrow, written during a time of devastation for Israel. Yet, in the midst of despair, Jeremiah declares the unchanging faithfulness of God. The Hebrew word for "faithful" (emunah) conveys steadfastness and reliability. Despite the circumstances, God’s love and mercy endure.
As 2024 comes to a close, we can look back and see the hand of God sustaining us. The ups and downs, the victories and challenges—through it all, His mercies have been new each morning. Psalm 103:2 reminds us: "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me."
Imagine keeping a "gratitude jar" where, throughout the year, you place notes of God’s blessings. At the end of the year, the jar overflows with reminders of His goodness. Similarly, our hearts should overflow with thanksgiving.
Christian author Ann Voskamp writes, "Gratitude precedes the miracle. When we give thanks, we make space for grace." Let’s take time to celebrate God’s faithfulness as we close this year.
2. Commit to God’s Purpose
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Paul’s exhortation in Romans is a call to total surrender. The Greek word for "transform" (metamorphoo) speaks of an inward renewal that leads to outward change. As we step into a new year, it’s an opportunity to recommit ourselves fully to God’s purpose.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us: "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Our commitment to God is not about earning His love but responding to it. What areas of your life need realignment with His will?
Think of a compass that always points north. When we commit to God, He becomes our "true north," guiding every decision and action.
Pastor Francis Chan says, "Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter." As we commit to God’s purpose, we find true fulfilment.
3. Cling to God’s Promises
Hebrews 10:23 (NLT): "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."
The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of trials. The Greek phrase "hold tightly" (katecho) implies an active grip that refuses to let go. God’s promises are sure and trustworthy, and they sustain us as we face the unknown.
Jeremiah 29:11 declares: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." God’s promises are not just for survival but for thriving in His purpose. As we enter 2025, let’s stand firm on His Word.
Picture a child holding tightly to a parent’s hand in a storm. No matter how strong the winds, the child is safe because of the parent’s strength. Similarly, we can trust God to hold us steady.
Max Lucado writes, "God never said the journey would be easy, but He did say the arrival would be worthwhile." Clinging to His promises gives us hope and strength for the journey.
Conclusion: Ending the Year with Faith, Starting the Next with Hope
As we end 2024 and step into 2025, let us:
Celebrate God’s faithfulness with a heart of gratitude.
Commit to God’s purpose with renewed devotion.
Cling to God’s promises with unwavering hope.
Call to Action:
What is God calling you to do as this year ends? Perhaps it’s to deepen your faith, to let go of past hurts, or to step boldly into new opportunities. If you’ve never trusted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, today is the day to begin.
Romans 10:9 assures us: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Let’s commit our lives to Him afresh and embrace the new year with faith and hope.
