Hi Friend,
I pray you had a Merry Christmas, even if it looked a little different than the previous years. I know 2020 has been unlike any other year, but I also know that this year hasn’t been all bad.
God is faithful, even when our circumstances seem to contradict this truth.
With so much loss, pain, and heartache going on around the country and the world, it may be a struggle to even think about what the New Year will bring. If that is you, I pray that this love letter brings some much-needed light to your day.
As I was lying down for bed a few nights ago, these words started playing over and over in my mind;
“A crown of beauty instead of ashes.
The oil of joy instead of mourning.
And a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
I picked up my phone, opened my bible app, and pulled up Isaiah 61, where this verse is found, and this entire passage in Isaiah blessed my socks off.
Last year around this time, many people said that the new year would be the year of 2020 vision (how clever, eh).
And while I do believe this year has personally brought me clarity and sharpened my vision, I don’t think any of us were intending a pandemic to be the catalyst for this said clarity.
I never bought into this word fully because I didn’t personally hear God on this.
But this year is different.
You see, when I opened my bible a few nights ago to Isaiah 61, the subtitle of this passage read;
“The Year of the Lord’s Favor!”
Let’s just say I didn’t go to sleep right away, as I got chills and became excited at what the New Year will bring. I’m always in awe when God speaks in a way that I can’t dismiss.
You see, I didn’t have time to question whether this was a coincidence or not. I simply got into an agreement with the word of God and started declaring that favor will be my reward and inheritance in 2021 and beyond.
Friend. this word is not just for me. It’s for you too. If you will simply agree with God and not with the world, the news, your feelings, or your emotions, I believe you will see the favor of God in every situation you invite Him into.
So, I hope you will agree with God! Even if it’s hard to get your hopes up AGAIN.
If your answer is yes, I need you to understand what you have agreed to. God’s favor (aka grace) simply means God is giving you the ability to do something which is humanly impossible for you to do.
Friend, I believe that this New Year is going to be the year where God does what has seemed impossible for you to do.
Get excited, stay excited, and get ready to see the favor of God all year long.
Lastly, I encourage you to read the entire passage of Isaiah 61. I have been reading this over and over because it is that good, and I hope you’ll do the same. That’s how you get to build your faith muscle (Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God).
Happy New Year, my friend,