The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22–23 (NLT)
How does one best describe New Year’s Eve? I equate it with the word celebrate.
When I was a teenager, my parents invited our church’s youth group to celebrate New Year’s Eve at our home. My sister and I decorated the basement with streamers and balloons, and we prepared enough snacks to feed a small army. The troops arrived early in the evening, and we played music and games until after midnight.
Several decades later, New Year’s Eve looks different to me. But I still equate it with the word celebrate.
When I reflect on the past year, I celebrate Jesus’s faithfulness through thick and thin. I thank Him for guiding me away from regrettable choices, comforting me in sorrow, encouraging me amid disappointment, strengthening me in weakness, forgiving me, and inspiring me to pursue the dreams He’s planted in my heart. He’s lavished His love on me, and that’s cause to rejoice!
When I ponder the incoming year, I celebrate Jesus’s faithfulness again. What will 2019 hold? We can’t know the answer now, but we know one thing for certain: Jesus holds us. Just as He demonstrated His goodness to us daily during this last year, so He promises to express it throughout the coming year.
Happy New Year, my friend! Celebrate Jesus tonight and welcome the dawn with joy, knowing that His mercies will greet you every morning in the year ahead.
FAITH STEP: List three ways in which Jesus proved His faithfulness to you this year. Then list three situations for which you trust Him to be faithful in 2022.