First Baptist Church, Somerville, NJ

The New Year 2020 has arrived, and along with it we all have new goals, high aspirations and fresh hopes for the coming year. This past year has been a challenging and difficult year for many people who suffer the loss of love ones, health challenges, and major decisions in life. While we don’t know what is coming in the New Year, we can find hope and confidence in God’s word, and maintain a positive outlook that things will be better than ever in this coming year. The Hebrew writer says “So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13: 6), Let us come into this new year with the confidence that the Lord is our helper and he will help us through the difficult challenges we faced in 2020.

The Hebrew writer doesn’t say we won't have pain, disappointments, and we will never suffer or have sorrow. The psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills. The Jews knew the mountains around Jerusalem were stable and secure. That’s the reason the psalmist in Psalm 121: verses 1 and 2 lifted his eyes higher and said, "No, I don't get my help from the hills. I get my help from the heavens. God is my Helper." Whatever your need or task is today, your help will come from the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. A God high enough to be the sustainer and protector of his creation at the same time help us solved our problems.

With the Lord as our helper, mere man can do nothing to us or against us except that which God permits. You recalled the story of Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den by his adversaries. Daniel was completely aware of his situation and knew  that he could have died that night in the lion’s den, but Daniel believed his God, and trusted him at all times for all circumstances; and even though he might die, still, he was willing to trust God.  Daniel believed that God would keep his word to watch over him and protect him, and that God knew where Daniel was at all times. Just like Daniel, God is all-powerful, he knows every situation that everyone endures, and he knows exactly where everyone is and what is happening to them at all times. 

In the face of God’s power, mere man begins to look very small in their devious actions and that is just the way God intends it to be. He wants to give us confidence that He is able for every need we have: large, small or whatever the size. None is too large, any too small for Him. Whatever difficulties and problems you will face in 2020, the fact remains that God will be our protector, sustainer and friend in and through them all.

A Blessed New Year!