By Pastor Paul Hauschild
Chatfield and Root Prairie
Lutheran Churches
How is 2025 going for you so far? A new year often signifies a fresh start for many people but, more often than not, resolutions set on December 31 are abandoned a few weeks into January. Practiced in most parts of the world, people set goals for a new year which revolve around continuing good practices, accomplishing a personal goal, improving behavior, or changing an undesired trait or habit. But it can be tough to keep those resolutions going. For Christians, setting goals for the future can be a good spiritual practice, and the good news is that we have help.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
In both verses we see that, while the outcomes belong to God, it is good and valuable to make plans and set goals. And we are not alone in accomplishing them. Jesus walks with us in all our endeavors. But we can still fall short of our hopes for ourselves. However, Jesus never falls short in his resolutions to us each year. Consider these resolutions that God makes to you, which will never be broken.
Resolution #1: Never ceasing love and constant mercy (Lamentations 3:22-24). Even though we sin and fail constantly, God’s love is unconditional. God is always ready and eager to forgive us. And His mercy… new every morning! What a gift to know that tomorrow can bring a new start if today is not going well. This produces a valuable attribute in us called hope.
Resolution #2: Giving you a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11-13). No matter what your situation or circumstance is now, your future is in God’s hands. We don’t know what’s around the corner, but the good Lord does. Trust in Him!
Resolution #3: Strength to endure difficult times (Isaiah 43:2 & Psalm 23:4). Even the strongest person of faith goes through dark times and struggles. But in these times Jesus is our light, and his promise is to preserve us. If God allows you to come to it, He’ll get you through it!
May God’s promises to you be experienced every day. God bless your week!
Leave a Reply