Wishing all our dear readers a Joyful and Blessed New Year 2023!

Even as we begin this new year, there is a lot of anxiety among everyone about how the year will pan out. Especially coming out of recent years of COVID-19 which has significantly impacted almost everyone mentally, financially, and physically. Here is the answer from the word of God – “Surely there is a future [and a reward], and your hope and expectation will not be cut off” Proverbs 23:18 (AMP-Amplified Bible).

Let’s focus on the word – “Surely”. Surely means, a word spoken with assurance or confidence. Cambridge dictionary says “Surely” is used to express that you are certain or almost certain about something. Bible says – Surely there is a future. Just believe wholeheartedly. You are not lost, and your future is secure in God’s hand. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Just give 100% of yourself to God’s plan as it will prosper you. Even if we plan 100 things for the year, to make it prosper and successful we need God’s will to handhold the execution of all the plans. Anything that’s not in the will of our Lord God, will not prosper and you can be certain about it!

David says, “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord” (Ps. 139:4 NIV). God knows all about your thoughts, your words, and your choices. You can’t make a move that takes God by surprise. Job said, “He knows the way that I take” (Job 23:10). We don’t know all of God’s ways. But God knows all our ways. God is our manufacturer and knows how His product (us) must be maintained for optimum performance. Sometimes we don’t go to the manufacturer, but rather check with the local mechanics and end up paying more in the long run as one fix could have raised another issue!

Many times, in our life, we don’t go to God our creator, rather we want quick solutions and hear from many of the people around us. Result – failure. Why do you want to go to someone other than God, when you know they can’t give assured results? Isn’t it crazy to try something when you know you are going to fail? However, God has assured us that He will surely make our future successful according to His beautiful plan which He has engraved in His palm for us. Isaiah 49:16 “Indeed, I have inscribed [a picture of] you on the palms of My hands; Your city walls [Zion] are continually before Me”.

Today people trust hand readers to predict the future. But the fact is, our future is beautified and designed in God’s palm. Let our future flow according to His glorious plan. God has given His love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to walk by His plan. What is more required for a man than the greatest human characteristics gifted by God?

In a world full of deception and false promises, God’s guidance is a mandate to differentiate the right path to travel. It might be the road less travelled, but it is the way to eternal life.

The second part of Proverbs 23:18 says “your hope and expectation”. What are your hope and expectation today? Is it of the flesh or of God’s? Romans 8:6 (AMP) says “Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever – because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God – both now and forever]”.

Romans 12:12 says “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” You are hoping for something to happen in life; while you wait for it to happen what is your mental state? anxiety, fear, joy or peace? When you have faith in God, your period of hope is a joyful time! Because you know for sure, that you will receive what you hoped for. Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality-faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Joyfully hope for the things to come, for your future is surely blessed in Jesus’ name.

The third part of Proverbs 23:18 says “will not be cut off”. Again, here you see the usage of the word “will”. Oxford dictionary says “will” means expressing inevitable events. It will happen! No second thoughts about it. When Bible says your hope and expectations WILL NOT BE CUT OFF, they will indeed not be cut off from your life. Psalms 16:9 is beautifully written “Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my innermost self-rejoices; My body too will dwell [confidently] in safety”. When will your innermost self, rejoice? When you have assurance in your next steps, in your future, and in the road, you travel as it will give unexplainable peace.

Just grow in the confidence in God, your future is very secure. Do not worry about the failures and negativity brought in by the people around you. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13. Just stay strong in all circumstances. “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10. Philippians 1:6 reassures us by stating, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Finally, my dear beloved readers, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6. In every second of this year, just remember, that your life is progressed by God’s plan. So, be strong and courageous for no man or circumstances can stand against you. For they do not battle against you, but against God. The Lord says this to you: “Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” -2 Chronicles 20:15.

Enjoy the journey of God’s plan in your daily life and stay blessed.