Psalm 97:11-12, “Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the LORD and praise his holy name.” NLT
We have another new year, 2025, which will bring new beginnings. In January of 2023, I chose the word perseverance as my goal. I am sure I had many tests on persevering patiently and not giving up, but I do not remember what they might have been now. But looking back, I did have Romans 12:12 written down in my journal, associated with this word, “perseverance,” which states, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Being constant in prayer keeps us in continual and ongoing communication with the LORD. I find that to be more and more important and needed as time goes on, I humbly admit.
Then, for 2024, I chose the word “trust.” Abraham, Moses, and Job were examples of how they each trusted in God even in the most impossible and troubling situations. I am reminded of Nahum 1:7: “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” The word refuge is also found in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” I also had written down, in my journal in 2024, “When life doesn’t make sense in this coming new year of 2024, I will choose to trust in what Psalm 84:11 declares, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield, the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
We had to put our faith in this into practice in three to four different instances over 2024 of trusting in God and having perseverance. It was mainly health issues for both my husband and me. The following verse 12 of Psalm 84, declares, “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” I think trusting in God is a lifelong journey and process and we did receive many blessings throughout 2024. Then our fourth circumstance of trusting in God, was our six-year-old granddaughter, who was thought to have a cancerous tumor in her left arm near her shoulder right before Thanksgiving. All scans and X-rays gave the appearance of it being cancer. However, after the biopsy was performed the following week, the result showed it was benign! Surgery has been scheduled, and we praise God for so many people praying for her. That, again, was a time of trusting and praying for our dear granddaughter. We praise God for His faithfulness as we have put our trust in Him throughout the times of testing in 2024 as I know more will be forthcoming. I have my trust and faith placed in God our caring shepherd as Psalm 23 has become a psalm that I read and recite every day.
So, what is ahead for us, for me, in 2025? I think the sufficiency of Scripture is vital to emphasize for this new year and beyond that. God’s Word has the answers to equip me (us) for how I (we) live so that I (we) may be “complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:17b. We all have dark and difficult days. David had many of them. But as we persevere, trust, and rely on God’s Word to give us instruction, guidance, comfort, and hope, that is where the answers are contained. He is our refuge. God protects His people and delivers them as it promises us throughout the Psalms, and as Isaiah 41:10 declares, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The ESV says Psalm 97:11-12 this way, “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!” Yes! Give praise and thanks to our holy God for His holy light shining on you and the joy that that brings! For whatever comes about in 2025, may we seek God’s Word for His sufficient answers calming our doubts and fears, for our new beginnings for this new year one day at a time.
Listen to Hallelujah Anyway (Official Music Video) – Charly Perry.