Happy New Year! With each year comes the annual tradition of making predictions and 2016 is no exception. Some pundits say that we will experience something new in the presidency; either our first female president or Latino president. We shall see. On the economic front, some pundits predict that we will be facing a new economic crisis after the stock market closed 2015 on the losing end. We shall see. The Cubs will win the World Series! We shall see!

Each New Year is rung in with predictions about what the year will hold for us and for what we should prepare. This year is no exception and all I can say is we shall see.
 
Christian faith has a focus on the new and the future, but it isn't about predictions, but rather about the new works that God is doing. When I become anxious about the future, I look to scripture not as prediction, but as of promise; God's promise of a new creation. Here are three of my favorite passages of hope and promise:
 
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!  -Isaiah 42: 18-19

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!  -2 Corinthians 5: 17

Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" 
-Revelation 21: 1-5

Regardless of 2016 predictions, I trust these promises of God!

Prayer for Today

God of promise, bless us with hope as we enter the New Year. Calm our anxious thoughts and grant us the eyes of faith to see your hand working actively in our lives for you make all things new in Christ our Lord. Amen.