So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
1 Peter 1:6 (NLT)
Lord Jesus, as I come to the end of 2025 and cross the threshold into 2026, the common practice is to look back on what I have come through and look forward to what is ahead. Naively we typically don’t ponder the fact there may be difficulties ahead. And truth be told, there will be. There is no telling what trials, tribulations, pain, loss or even disappointment lay on the other side of midnight tonight. Only You know. However, there is one thing that I can be certain of regarding the upcoming year. And it is this one thing that I place all of my hopes on: that You will fill me through it all with wonderful, unspeakable joy!
Lord, as I prepare to step into this new year, my heart confesses with David, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) These are the three things that I desire most this upcoming year, to experience in abundance, causing my heart to overflow. Yes, I know that I will have to endure many trials. Yes, I know that my path may be wrought with disappointment. Yes, I know that I will experience loss. Yet, it is my deepest desire to:
- Go where You direct – You show me what true living looks like;
- Bask in Your presence – there I will experience the fullness of joy; and
- Be at Your right hand – with You is my heart’s deepest desire!
Thank You for bringing me to this point and giving me this past year. Through it all I learned to trust in You more intimately and have come out stronger and more secure in my walk with You. But most of all thank You for the promise of a better – no greater – tomorrow in You. I am truly glad and I love You so! Jesus, You give me joy! Amen!