1^st January 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: THE WORD

THEME SCRIPTURE: “My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” Isaiah 55:11

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How can we guarantee our hopes in this new year, such that no matter what may come our expectations would come to pass?

New Year speeches are a common thing these days, either from church leadership, national leadership or sometimes family heads. These speeches are meant to encourage us to hope ahead and expect greater and superior things. However, it is worth noting that everyone who has entered into this new year has high expectations, and yet some will experience calamities, crisis or mishaps. Who knows what awaits him this year?

In his poem ‘God Knows’, Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957) wrote:

“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year;

Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown;

And he replied:

Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God;

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way;

So I went forth, and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night;

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.”

The lines were spoken by George VI in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the Empire. This struck a chord with the British people facing the uncertainty of war. The poem is a message that trusting in God is better than relying on light or a known path.

We live in a world where there are too many uncertainties, complexities, and volatilities. It is in this environment that we mould our hopes and carve our expectations, expecting guarantees.

In a year like this, much are the expectations and hope of many, and we know, beloved, that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prov 13:12). How then can we guarantee the outcomes of this year? Who can best help us guarantee our expectations? Only God is big enough to guarantee our hopes and expectations in an uncertain world.

This is why God sent the prophet Isaiah to go and comfort Jerusalem. In His message, God raised critical questions for all those who turn to Him to ponder on. He asked, “Shall I bring to the moment of birth, and not give delivery? Or shall I, who gives delivery, shut the womb?” (Isa 66:9). Therefore, thus says the Lord, “Behold I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream” (Isa 66:12). Only God can say it and do it, no matter how the times and seasons seem unfavorable. Only His word is a guarantee.

Beloved, as the rains comes down from heaven and do not return until they have fulfilled their purpose [soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life, to provide seed to the sower and bread to the eater], so shall God’s word that He speaks will never return to Him void. 

So, stay with His Word and you are assured in this year. When the going gets tough, go for the Word and you will be sustained. If you have His word, you are guaranteed. Nothing is too big for the Word. Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING:  Isaiah 66:1-12

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. What are your expectations this year, and how are you guarantee them?

PRAYER

Precious Father, your word is all I need and I am guaranteed. I am focused on your word this year. I am staying with your word in all circumstances. One word from you is all I need and I will reign in all things. Speak to me daily, Lord, to sail through the uncertainties of this year, in Jesus’ precious name. hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Genesis 1; Genesis 2; Psalm 1; Psalm 2; Matthew 1; Matthew 2