Closing 2023 And How To Get Ready For 2024

No doubt that 2023 was a year of world-wide suffering. We’ve seen war in Ukraine, war in Israel, railway derailments, interstate collapses, bridge explosions, floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, riots, violence, etc. Perhaps none of these horrific events have personally affected anyone reading this devotional, but deep down—we all know that we are not safe from tragedy. Trouble is inevitable. Death is in our future.

So how do we resolve to face this New Year with HOPE—in a world that is not getting friendlier and more full of love? 

What tools do we have to build hope? Well, our source of HOPE is based upon our source of TRUTH. “What is our most trustworthy and time-tested source of truth?” “Truth” defines our reality and orients us for life. If TikTok, FaceBook, CNN, or even our friends—are our most often used source for “truth”—they are the foundation for our decision making. Then “truth” becomes a moving target. You see, for the Christian, “truth” may be divided into three general categories: 

• 1. Secular sources;
• 2. God’s Truth (Bible); or, 
• 3. A buffet option (a combination of the two) 

I think the buffet option is where most people get their truth. We take the principles of the Bible that don’t make us too uncomfortable and mix them with secularized truth.

But how well does our own version of “truth” work for navigating the future?

More importantly, if our “truth” deviates from THE TRUTH of God’s Word, then we must ask ourselves “which ‘god’ we are depending upon?” Which God are we praying to and hoping in? I guarantee if we are picking and choosing God’s rules then it’s not the God of the Bible. 

That’s a scary thought, isn’t it? 

Who are you depending upon to ALWAYS walk through life with you? Is it the “god” who says it’s okay to neglect prayer, Bible study, and church? Is it the “god” who says it’s okay to lie, gossip, steal, cheat, or watch porn? My friend, we all have our sins of choice which seek to divest us of the power of our holy God. But is there anything worth forfeiting God’s presence and our source of greatest hope? If tragedy strikes and removes WHAT or WHOM—we love most—what will we have left to give us the strength and hope to keep living?

THE God—who created everything and wrote His Word for us to live by is—omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He gives us eternal hope! He loves us so much that He gave His life so that we could live! If He died for us—it stands to reason He also wants to care for us as we walk through life.

When we make God our greatest love, we will never lose Him and thus, we will never lose hope.

I am reminded of Exodus 14 when the freed slaves of Israel were trapped between the Red Sea and the bloodthirsty Egyptian army. God parted the water in front of them and sent an angel to place a cloud of darkness over the army that was behind them. They crossed over in safety and the enemy who followed them—was wiped out. You see, God’s path isn’t safe for our enemies. They have rejected Him. Their choice will bring their destruction. We must not choose their path—the path of sin—it is not safe for us!

Our choice to follow God is—our greatest salvation.

We do not know the future. It is scary. Does anyone else—who we rely upon for truth— really know what will happen next? No.

But God does.

In fact, since the beginning of time God has known what is next. All we need to do is—to know HIM. When we know Him—we watch Him turn what terrifies us most—into what amazes us most. Just like the Israelites. They would have never experienced the miracle of God parting the Red Sea if they had not been trapped between the Sea and the angry Egyptian army. But Moses knew God’s power very well. Although he was just as trapped as they were, right before God parted the waters, Moses said to the frightened people:

“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV

Moses spoke these bold words, even though he had NO IDEA at the time—how God was going to save him. We know this because right AFTER he spoke these words of confidence to the people—God told him what to do—stretch his staff over the sea. (vs. 15) Moses didn’t have to know HOW God was going to save them before He trusted Him. Why not??? He and God had a history together. God had just used him to speak ten plagues over the Egyptian superpower and Pharaoh released the Israelites from slavery!

The proof that Moses’ greatest hope was in God was that he lived His life in full surrender to God and His Word.

Like Moses, when we learn to live in full surrender to God, our trust in Him grows bigger and our fears get smaller. This is how we need to approach 2024–with the same confidence as Moses. We need to know God better than we know anything or anyone! God will part our Red Seas if we allow Him to lead us. When I am surrendered to God, I like to say of the trouble He miraculously brings me through, “that was another Red Sea crossing.” We may want God to walk us AROUND the hard stuff; but IF He does not, rest assured, He will walk THROUGH it—with us 

Do not be afraid, my friend. Seek to know God well. Stand strong in His presence. He will fight for you and walk you through trouble in the strength of His peace.

Blessings of peace for the New Year!

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

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