A new beginning – 16 January 2023
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
(Di)temana ya Bibele
2 BAKORINTE 5
Something strange happens to most of us whenever the clock strikes midnight on 31 December. It is as if an invisible page is turned, and we rise the next morning on New Year’s Day with more courage and hope in our hearts.
Maybe it wasn’t like that for you. On the contrary, we are halfway through the first month of 2023 and still you are struggling to get out of bed – not even to mention your struggle to fill your heart with courage and hope every day. I have good news for you. God is always able to give you a new start, new opportunities and more hope in your heart.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read: Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. (CEV)
God is still able to give us all a new start. He changed Saul to Paul and Simon to Peter. He positioned Esther, an orphan to become queen of her land and he used Rahab, a prostitute as his instrument in ways unimaginable. He can do the same for you. The question beckons: Will you trust him for that new beginning?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for loving me. Please fill my heart with hope for the new year, knowing that you can present me with wonderful new opportunities. Help me to find my hope and courage in you. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
