“See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

— Deuteronomy 1:8

Every new year brings new opportunities and challenges. May the Lord prepare us to receive something new this year to improve our lives.

Many people begin the year by making New Year's resolutions and promises, but that approach rarely works well. To receive from God, we must believe that he has prepared something for us. We need to dismiss thoughts of not being worthy or deserving of God’s blessings. We may imagine and speculate what God will do for us, but we do not really know (see 1 Corinthians 2:9).

To receive from God, we must believe he will do as he says. We cannot lean into our own understanding or dwell too much on the past because we might miss seeing God’s hand at work (Isaiah 43:19). When God nudges us forward, we cannot allow fear to keep us in our comfort zone or be satisfied with our current situation. We cannot talk ourselves out of what God wants to do.

Let us remember our history with God and be ready to receive. We can trust him and respond in obedience. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us receive God’s blessings in this new year. God wants us to step out and receive the blessings he has in store for us.

Gracious God, as we begin this new year, we want to be ready for whatever you have prepared. Awaken us each day to the newness of life in you. Amen.