The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  

- Psalm 34:10

God is in new beginnings. He gave us Jesus, who offers us the ultimate new beginning. With a new year approaching, many people see it as a chance to start over and change. It is a hopeful time.

But hope is often confused with something like wishful thinking.

So we use it to describe things we want: we hope we don’t get sick; or that we will lose weight. We hope to get a promotion, a new job, a friend, or a relationship.

However, as Christians, we know that true, eternal hope—the kind at the heart of our Christian life- is much more than that.

True hope springs from the promise that we will experience His forgiveness and a relationship with Him for eternity because of who God is and what He has done. It isn’t something we can earn, buy or achieve. It is free and given to us so that no man may boast.

It is the full redemption He has promised all who believe. When we feel lost, confused, lonely or sad, we often grasp those things that give us temporary relief.

Perhaps it is shopping, food, alcohol, or sex.

However, all things are fleeting except that which the Lord provides. His love and the hope He gives are everlasting.

So, as you look ahead to a new year, how do you put Christ first? Is there an area of your heart that you need to surrender to Him?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for giving me a new beginning. Thank you for loving me so much that you desire to fill my heart fully so that in you, I lack nothing. Amen.

With Love,
Sherry Shepherd