The start of a new year often brings pressure to stick to resolutions, but it's important to remember that we all have weaknesses and are not perfect.

I’ve read the end of both Bible Testaments, and the good news I find there motivates me to savor all of Scripture.

“Every one of us will have a Nehemiah opportunity in the coming months. Let’s prepare now for the task that lies ahead of us.”

There is good news this year! In Psalm 146 and 147 we see many reasons to have hope, and we can gain perspective on where we can and must place our hope, no matter what the candidates tell us.

Just as David wrote that God had prepared his hands for war and his fingers for battle, we can also be prepared for our battles by spending time in prayer, in praise, and even by lifting our hands to God in worship.

Knowing that God was at the beginning and will be at the end of our lives, we can be confident he will not abandon us here in the middle.

A few years ago I began a new practice of picking a few Scriptures to read and pray each day. I have picked as many as seven and as few as two the last few years.

God is always at work in places we wouldn’t be looking and in ways we wouldn’t pay attention to.

Some daily responsibilities will continue, but we also have new and fresh possibilities for what God can do in us and through us as we offer ourselves and our talents to him.

As we begin this new year, what do you need to let go of or close from last year? What in your life needs to drop in your celebration of 2023’s arrival?

Whether your year will be smooth or riddled with unanticipated trouble, God will provide the resource for choosing the second option.

Go ahead and relax now that the Christmas scurry is over. And while you’re resting, think about all God may have for you to do in 2023.