New Year Blessing
Scripture Reading — Romans 15:1-13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13
May God fill you with joy, peace, and overflowing hope.
Joy, which is much deeper than our common idea of happiness, is rooted in God and allows us to rejoice in his goodness even in the darkest of situations.
Peace is more than the absence of conflict. God’s peace involves resting in the Lord and Savior who will make things right in spite of all the brokenness in our world.
Hope is the believer’s confident expectation that all of God’s promises and plans will be fulfilled, and it includes working with God now in all that he is doing in our lives and in this world. Overflowing hope not only fills us but abundantly flows from us and inspires others, by the power of God’s Spirit working in us.
All three find their source in the one true God. He is the one at work restoring and redeeming. God guarantees our future. Hope is rooted in the faithfulness of the Father, the saving work of Jesus, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
God is at work, and we are called to trust and follow his lead. We place our confidence in God, waiting and relying on him. This calls us to draw near to God, believe his Word, and follow his Spirit. The key to entering the New Year with joy, peace, and overflowing hope is to enter it with the God of hope.
Lord of hope, help us to walk with you each day. By your Spirit, fill us with overflowing hope in the coming year. Amen.
About the author — Calvin Aardsma
Calvin Aardsma has been a pastor for more than thirty years. He has served churches in Indiana, Oregon, and the Chicago area. Currently, he is a pastor of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing, Illinois. He also serves on the board of the Ugandan Orphanage Relief Fund. Cal and his wife, Sandy, have four children and five grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!