Daily Devotional

It is hard to believe that 2023 is past.  I just got used to writing 2023 on my checks and now the year is gone.  As the old year has passed, I would pray that you and your family will have a joyous New Year filled with God’s blessings.  The past 365 days have been filled with a lot of events, some bringing joy and others bringing sadness.  We do not know what the New Year will bring but we know there will be opportunities to trust God and to grow in our relationship with Him.  I am so glad that God holds each of our lives in His hands.  I would not want to face life without knowing I am in God’s care.  The Scriptures illustrate this truth in several places by stating that we are held in God’s hands.  God’s hands are huge and strong and will never fail us.  Nothing can happen to us that is out of His control.  In Isaiah 40, the prophet writes in verse 12 that God can “hold/measure the waters in the hollow of His hand.”   If God’s hands are that great, then He has the power to hold and protect our lives in His hands.  Isaiah also writes, “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.”  (Isaiah 41:10 NLT) Life does not always feel very fair, just, or good.  In those moments, I can always know as I am held in God’s righteous right hand, that He will do what is right and good.  This is true even when in my limited perspective I don’t understand.  

The Apostle John writes that we are held in the hands of Jesus and the Father.  “And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:28–29 NASB) Nothing in life can snatch us out of Their hands.  My life is secure today and through all eternity because I am held in God’s protective hands.  The Apostle Paul restates this wonderful truth in Romans 8:38 when he writes, “no created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God.”  With these truths in mind, we can face 2024 with the confidence and the assurance that God’s purposes and plans for our lives will be accomplished.  Even when things happen that we would not choose, we can rest in His perfect care.

As Jude closes his short letter, he gives an amazing benediction.  This blessing speaks of God’s ability to keep us as He holds us in His hands.  I pray that you can receive this blessing from Scripture as you begin 2024 and be reminded of it throughout the year.  “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24–25)

Prayer:  Lord, as we begin this New Year, may I always be reminded of Your loving care and control in my life.  Let me rest in the assurance that You are holding me in Your hands and that You will do what is right and good.  Thank you for this assurance as I face the uncertain days of the New Year.  I choose to trust you each day.  Amen

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