Hope for a New Year

2020 was a challenging year for most of us. In addition to health and financial struggles, many dealt with canceled plans, unmet goals, and unfulfilled dreams. Some even struggled with grief from losing a loved one. As the year came to a close, I thought that surely 2021 would be better.

Sadly, putting up a new calendar didn’t seem to help. Old problems lingered and new ones emerged. I tried to write but was met with exhaustion and discouragement. I even tried choosing a “new word for the new year” as I’ve often done in the past. Still, nothing worked. Finally, I returned to my word for 2020: HOPE. I prayed and meditated on my favorite verses about hope and I waited on the Lord.

Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

Psalm 33:18 “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy…”

Psalm 42:11 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

Psalm 119:114 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.”

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

The more I thought about these verses the more I understood that God often uses trials to teach us important truths. Through our struggles we learn to depend more on Him and less on ourselves. We find joy and peace when we hope in the Lord, not in ourselves or in anything or anyone else.

As I meditate on these truths, I’m reminded of the powerful words to the beautiful hymn “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” by Edward Mote. Will you read them with me?

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

I don’t know what the rest of 2021 will bring, but I have hope because God has a plan, and His plan is perfect.

Psalm 71:14 “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.”