As you enter the New Year, read this Scripture and stand on it: ‘The land you are entering to take over is not like the land… from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot… [It] is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from Heaven. It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.’ (Deuteronomy 11:10–12 ^NIV)

For the next few days, let’s look at this Scripture. ‘The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come.’ Egypt was the place of stress, sorrow, and struggle. But Canaan was the place of God-given success, self-worth and spiritual growth. In other words, this year doesn’t have to be like last year for you. Why? Because ‘the Lord your God cares.’

Jeremiah said: ‘Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.’ (Lamentations 3:21–25 ^NLT)

David said: ‘His anger lasts only a moment, but His favour lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.’ (Psalm 30:5 ^NLT) You don’t have to dread what lies ahead. This year you can experience God’s love, mercy, faithfulness, goodness, and favour in your life.