Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Once again, we are a day away from the start of another year. As we look back and reflect on all that has happened in the past year, we remember joyous times and sad times, precious moments and moments that were very painful and difficult. Life is just that way. You never know what is lurking around the corner or what will happen in the future. It all would be extremely unnerving if it weren’t for the faith that we have in Christ Jesus. He is the one that enables us to face another year without fear of what will come.

The reason that we can face the year without being afraid is because of the faithfulness of God. He not only promised to be with us at all times (Matthew 28:20), but He also gives us what we don’t have in the way of His strength when our strength fails. He gives us His peace when our world gets chaotic and uncertain. Then, He not only gives us hope, but He becomes our hope. That’s why Isaiah was able to prophetically proclaim the awesome truth that those who put their hope in the Lord will be supernaturally strengthened for the journey ahead. Because the world has become corrupted by sin and because we have a sinful nature that by default would cooperate with our sinful world system, we need God’s supernatural strength to stay the course. But what God provides when we put our hope in Him is so much more than just strength to “make it.” It is strength to soar!

When a storm comes, an eagle waits for the storm to become fierce before it launches itself right into it, only to be lifted higher and higher by the violent winds until he finds himself soaring above the storm. Above the storm, the sun is shining and there is peace and calm. God wants us to soar above the storms of this life like an eagle. Above the storms of life is where the Son is shining, where He becomes our peace and our rest. He wants us to put our hope and our trust in Him and allow the strong winds of life’s storms to carry us higher to where He dwells. We won’t get weary getting there because it is His strength that will carry us. With that in mind, let the new year come. With Jesus as our living hope, we can be confident that come what may, He will be with us and if He is with us, then there is not only nothing to fear, but everything to look forward to. Let’s soar into the new year! A happy and blessed New Year to you all.

Pastor Joey Vazquez