As we draw close to the end of another year, we look ahead to the coming year. And as we look ahead, we trust that God will be with us.

Psalm 46 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength.” In this psalm God is also referred to as an “ever-present help” and a “fortress.” This imagery communicates strength and confidence.

Over the past couple of years we have faced a lot of uncertainty. Yet there is one thing we know as we prepare for a new year—that God is always our strength and confidence. It is in God and God alone that we find our safety and security.

In “God of All Ages, Whose Almighty Hand” we sing of trusting in God the Almighty. “Thy love divine hath led us in the past . . ./ be thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay;/ thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.”

As we continue into the new year, we ask God to continue to lead us as he has led us in the past. God is the faithful God who continues to watch over his people. This is why the psalmist can say with such confidence that the Lord is “our refuge and strength.”

We do not know what we will face in the year 2022. One thing we do know for certain: God has been faithful, and in his faithfulness we will find our strength for the year to come.