January 1

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”  
Psalm 73:23-24 (NIV)

We see a picture here of the Psalmist with his hand outstretched for God to lead him through life. This reminds us that at the beginning of a new year we can reach out our hand for God to guide us in the day ahead of us. God is waiting for us to let Him lead us. We reach out to Him in faith and we know He will see us through the days and weeks of this whole year. And, yes, as promised, He will guide us into an eternity to be spent with Him. Let us trust the Lord as the psalmist did that He holds us by our right hand.

January 2

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

Have you made any new resolutions? We do have this verse to think about today which expresses the attitude that the apostle Paul had toward the years ahead of him. It was very important for Paul to keep before him the goal which God had set for Him. He earnestly wanted to attain that goal. God has a goal for each of His children. Each of us can decide to press on during this year to reach that goal – to live a life pleasing to Him and to become what He wants us to be. Let’s tell our Lord that this is our desire now as this New Year begins.

January 1

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:23 (NIV)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We do know there is happiness in store for you during this coming year if you are trusting in the Lord. The psalmist who wrote these words was trusting Him. We can think of ourselves as the psalmist did, being led through coming days by the Lord, our hand in His. Isn’t that a beautiful picture of the way the Lord leads His own? There is something very reassuring by the close contact this implies. And that is the way He wants to lead us to be sure we are near Him and responsive to the guidance he wants to give. Remember though, that for God to lead us by the hand we must put our hand into His by a voluntary decision. Let us say today with the psalmist: “Your hold me by my right hand.”