This last year was one of the hardest for me on a physical level. It literally wore me out. Even other years where I had major surgery and months of recuperation and physical therapy; none of those made me as exhausted as I feel right now and as I have been feeling for almost six months now.

As December came to a close, I wanted to go into the new year feeling different, maybe feeling excited or all lit up just waiting to see what God was gonna do. But I didn’t. I couldn’t even draw up enough energy to get excited as I looked ahead.

But my God was with me. He saw and understood what I needed. He gave me a series of verses that have given me hope for this coming year and you can claim them as yours too. Promises of Who He is and What He will do for me. Reminders of what I have to do also.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God,

He is the One who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

I can stand firm in His strength, knowing that I will never face anything alone. We know He sends angels to help us and guard us; even fight for us. But this verse reminds us that God Himself is with us and never leaves us. An ever-present God.

“For I, the Lord your God,

will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ “

Isaiah 41:13

Do you remember as a child, how safe you felt holding onto the hand of an adult, whether it was your mom or dad or someone else. You knew they would take care of you. This verse reminded me of that. I will feel safe. God’s got my hand in His and He will help me. Makes me feel like I can go through anything; gives me hope.

And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you; And through the rivers,

they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Isaiah 43:1-3a

I have shared these verses in other posts and I love them. God never promises to miraculously save us from things (though He could). No, He promises to be with us; to get us through them and use the strength that He will give us. No matter what it is. He does this, I think because experience causes growth and God wants us to grow and develop into the person He knows we can be.

…”You are My witnesses,” says the Lord,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me,
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
Nor shall there be after Me.
I, even I, am the Lord,
And besides Me there is no savior.”

Isaiah 43:10-11

God has plans for our lives even before we are born. He wants us to know Him, to have a relationship with Him; which can only come through salvation by believing in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus as payment for our sins. God wants us to know and believe what He says; that we can depend on His every word to be true.

If He has promised to be with us; to hold our hand and guide us; we should believe Him. He is our God; our Savior. These verses helped me look at the coming year a little differently because He reminded me of Who He is and what He will do for me. Because of this, I can have courage and not fear or worry about the future. It may be another year of exhaustion, I hope it isn’t; but if it is, I will get through it with His help; for He is with me. I am never alone. Neither are you.

Now may the God of peace Who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

Happy New Year

Until next time, God bless.

~Brenda