Saturday, January 3rd 2026

Fresh beginning

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43: 18-19)

One of the remarkable things about the beginning of a year is a chance for a new beginning. One may have gone through the year heavy with burdens and without a seeming way out. Perhaps one may have reached that point of exhaustion, a feeling of frustration and discontent that nothing seems to work out.

Not only frustrations but there could be a feeling of guilt for certain failures. But then comes a new year offering a fresh break for a new beginning. It is a comfort for believers to remember what God has offered, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ( Romans 8:1). This means that in spite of the heavy burdens of the past one can begin afresh, totally free and delighted to start anew, without feeling guilty.

As the Apostle Paul once wrote, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" ( Phillip 3: 13-14)! May the New Year come with a fresh anticipation of a new beginning and blessings.

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as the new year begins it offers a chance to start afresh with hope in you, and may you bless me all the way, this I pray in Jesus's name.