We are approaching the dawn of another new year! The hymn that Isaac Watts wrote is ringing in my mind once again:​

​O God our help in ages past,​

Our hope for years to come,​

Our shelter from the stormy blast,​

And our eternal home. ​

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Watts (1674-1748), the English Hymn writer, based this hymn on some of the verses from Psalm 90. Like the psalmist, Watts recognized the transcendence of God and the temporariness of humankind.​

The unknown is often challenging and can be very scary too! Both the psalmist and Watts remind us to find comfort and security in this unshakeable certainty – that our God is eternal, and we can find our eternal rest in Him alone! ​

The Psalmist bursts forth in his opening verses by declaring – Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations; from everlasting to everlasting, you are God; for a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday (Psalm 90:1, 2 & 4).​

Watts uses imageries of God as our ‘Shelter from the stormy blast’; God as our ‘Defense and Help in ages past’; God as our ‘Eternal Home’!

How then should we approach 2025 as Christ’s disciples? Can we entrust our lives into the hands of the God of all ages? Can we let Him lead and guide us step by step despite our fears and uncertainties of what tomorrow may bring us? ​

Ira Stanphill (1914-1993) wrote a hymn in 1950 after he came out from a deep depression – I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. The chorus below is a wonderful reminder of how we can respond to the new year that is fast approaching – in times of sorrow, uncertainties or challenges we may encounter:​

Many things about tomorrow​

I don’t seem to understand, ​

But I know who holds tomorrow ​

And I know who holds my hand’.​

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We do not know what tomorrow may hold but it’s comforting to know that our eternal God is our ‘Shelter’, ‘our Hope for years to come’; our Guard while troubles last’; ‘and our eternal Home’.​

As the new year dawns, let us with confidence greet one another with these words:​

BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES, ​

WE CAN FACE ALL OUR TOMORROWS!​

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Have a Blessed New Year!​

By Dr Violet James​​