Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

As we get ready to bring in the New Year, there are a lot of things that run through our minds. You may look back on this past year and remember some good times that you had, or perhaps you may remember some very hard times that you went through. Maybe you are going through something right now and you are wondering how things will work out on the New Year. Some people are looking at 2019 and are thankful that, on the whole, it was a pretty good year while others are glad that 2019 is over and are looking forward to better times in 2020. Whatever the case may be, we as followers of Christ have a lot to look forward to.

No matter what happens in 2020, our lot is secure because of our Lord Jesus. We can pretty much guarantee that trouble will visit us in this coming year but as long as God is with us, we will make it through in victory. That is God’s promise to us and as long as I have lived on this earth, God has been faithful, and I am sure that you can say the same thing if you have made Him Lord of your life. You may find yourself traveling through what seems like a wilderness or may end up in what seems like a dry wasteland but in either case, God will make a way and will renew you with rivers of living water, just like Jesus promised (John 7:38).

God is always up to something new and it is always good. Our job for this New Year is to remain in Jesus and allow Him to remain in us and to do the will of our Heavenly Father. As we remain (abide) in Jesus, we will be at the center of God’s will and will experience His leading, His guidance, His protection and His provision. We may be facing a new year without the foggiest clue of what may happen, but as long as we stay under the shelter of God’s wings, we will be totally safe and secure. The new thing that God is going to do in 2020 will include everything that we will need. We may be launching in the unknown, but we are with our God who knows all things and who will be paving the way for us as He guides us along the road that leads to righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Yes, it will be a blessed New Year no matter what comes our way!

Pastor Joey Vazquez