Jeremiah 29:11-14 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  NIV

The context of this passage was the LORD speaking to Israel about their return from Babylonian captivity and that after 70 years, there would be an awakening, and God’s plan would be put into play.  Israel would seek Him and find Him as they sought Him wholeheartedly.  As we come to the last day of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, my heart cries out for us to LOOK FORWARD rather than BACKWARD.

God has plans for us individually and collectively, including hope and a future.  In any situation or time when people truly begin to seek the LORD with a whole heart, He demonstrates His power and reveals Himself to them.  He has promised that if we Seek Him, we will find Him.  He is not trying to hide from us or make knowing His will, plan, or purpose difficult or impossible to discern.  It is in God’s interest for us to know what He wants and then do what He directs.  Hiding that from us would not serve the purposes of the Kingdom.

Rather than looking back on the disappointments of 2022, why don’t we look forward to the possibilities of 2023?  Rather than lamenting over the failures of the past, let’s look toward the victories of the future.  At 12:01 AM, the year 2023 began.  God is still God, and His plan and purpose for our lives are still real and possible.  Nothing anyone or any power can do will change that.  The devil may try and will try to get you to lose focus on the prime objective and discourage you but resist his temptations and set your focus squarely on the Throne of Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Take these words in Jeremiah as your personal word from the Lord for 2023, and enter this New Year with Hope, Faith, Enthusiasm, and Confidence!

None of us saw, in totality, what we wanted to see this past year.  We may have seen some significant and wonderful things as well as awful and discouraging things.  This New Year affords us a clean slate, and we have the opportunity to begin on January 1, 2023, as a journey of faith that will be the most exciting and productive year of our lives.

May God be with you as you go through your day!