Our confidence before God is in Jesus because of who He is and what He has done for us. A confident people get things done!

Through this Psalm David tells of his knowledge of his Father in Heaven and what He would do on his behalf - He is the Great Shepherd!

David knew about life.....his was a normal life of ups and downs....and the downs were real low points! But here we still see his heart worshipping God through it all and remembering His magnificence.

Psalm 1 contrasts the 2 different paths our lives could take.

Jesus was tempted by Satan to achieve his mission but by a different and softer route! Today we face the same temptation and are challenged to remain on God's path set out of for us, not deviating or looking for an easier race!

We have so very much to be thankful for - just reading Isaiah 53 brings us into a spirit of thankfulness for what God has done for us. As we go forward this year let our repsonse be that of a joyful, singing people, inspired to meet together as family and eager to "enlarge our tents".

What is the one thing this year that God wants you to address? Take encouragement from the story of Nehemiah whose One Thing was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. When distractions and intimidation came he remained focused on that One Thing!

With the moment of Genesis 3 in mind, Solomon asks what is life all about in this world fractured by sin. For us, Jesus has mended this fracture - enabling us to enter back into a Genesis 2 relationship with God.

Solomon here warns against self-righteousness - comparing our actions with others. Jesus is the only one who can make us righteous. It is a free gift!

Isaiah reminds us of the Holiness of God. We need to need to discover God's holiness, to remember that He is high and lifted up, that He is Almighty. The world can narrow our view of God and His love. Here Isaiah has a vision of just how powerful and empowering God is - then, now and forever!