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 the 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 with their whole heart.  As we come to the last day of 2025, my heart cries out for us to Look Forward rather than Backward.

God has plans for us individually and collectively, and those plans include a Hope and a Future!  In any situation or at any time when people truly 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 to do what He directs.  Hiding that from us would not serve the purposes of the Kingdom.

Rather than looking back on the disappointments of 2025, let’s look toward the possibilities of 2026.  Rather than lamenting over the failures of the past, let’s look toward the victories of the future.  Tomorrow or tonight at 12:01 AM, the year 2026 will have fully begun, and God will still be God and His plan and purpose for our lives will still be real and possible. 

There is nothing anyone or any power can do that 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 fix 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 2026 and enter this New Year with HOPE, FAITH, ENTHUSIASM, and CONFIDENCE. 

I dare say that none of us saw in totality what we wanted to see in the past year, although we may have seen some significant and wonderful things.  The New Year affords us a somewhat clean slate, and we have the opportunity to begin on January 1, 2026, 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!