God Has Provided For 2018

2017 has come and gone.  Some have experienced new blessings and many have experienced loss.  We put faith in God that he will sustain us but every new year brings the uncertainty of what the next year will hold.  It is only natural to wonder.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

             The child of Christ has a great comfort in knowing that a new start is always possible.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor. 5:17  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

            Even the worldly losses are not able to douse our hope for what Christ made possible in our eternity.  These losses and hardships are just set backs we must endure and depend on Him to get us through.  Emerging on the other side stronger for the experience.  For  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18  There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

            God is faithful to us and His plans for us will work His will in our lives.  As the Good Father, He knows what is best for us.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11  As long as we follow His plans for us, not ours, and allow Him to guide us in life's situations we can take comfort in knowing the best will come from it.  Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:23-24  God's love and provision are continuously renewed and He will never fail us.  Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

            If it is God's will, we have an exciting new year to look forward to without pause.  His divine provision has already been set in place for all of us.  Christ has made our success possible regardless of what life brings for us in 2018.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

- Marc Hopkins