As I’ve been leisurely reading through the Old Testament book of Isaiah, I’ve been writing down the various promises. It’s been rejuvenating and refreshing to focus my attention on these promises as we enter a new year. My guess is you need these promises as well.
Read the promises out loud over yourself every morning and pray the promise back to God. As you do this, I believe you’ll be able to internalize them and, as a result, head into 2023 with resilient hope.
5 Promises for the New Year
Promise #1 – The Promise of His Peace. The prophet promised, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3). We have authority over our thoughts, and we can choose where they will dwell. The promise tucked into this verse is that if we keep our minds focused on the goodness of God and learn to trust Him, we’ll enjoy His peace.
Promise # 2 – The Promise of Renewed Strength. Isaiah wrote, “The Lord is the everlasting God the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom, He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28b-31). I cannot tell you how many times I have felt too weak to do the very thing God has called me to do. Yet, when I’ve taken the next step in obedience, trusting God to provide His strength as I move, He has empowered me to do things I always thought impossible. If He calls you, He provides strength.
Promise #3 – The Promise of His Almighty Presence. The prophet wrote on God’s behalf, “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, You are my servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:9-10). As we enter the new year, there are a lot of “unknowns.” However, this you can be assured of: His presence will go with you!
Promise #4 – The Promise of Fruitfulness Even When Life Feels Barren. “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys; I will turn the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together” Isaiah 41:18).Looking back on my life, it has often been in the barren seasons – the seasons of great trial and testing – when God has produced the most fruit. Don’t despise the desert, friend. There, God often gives supernatural springs of living water and brings forth fruit you never dreamed possible!
Promise # 5- The Promise of Victory. “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you” (Isaiah 54:17). Our victory has already been won through Jesus Christ. As we lean into Him, daily victory over the attacks of the enemy is possible. Remind yourself to put on the armor God has provided. Use the weapons of scripture and praise to fight off the accusations of the enemy. He doesn’t stand a chance because your victory has already been won!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Becky Harling
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