“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” .Jeremiah 29:11

Happy new year to you all. Have you made any new year’s resolutions? Are you thinking of starting something new, or giving up a bad habit? I’m fairly inconsistent with my new year’s resolutions – some years I decide to do them, other years I don’t. However, what I am consistent with is that in the years I do set those resolutions, I start with good intentions but half way through the year things start to slide, and often I’ve given up by June! Thankfully we have a God who doesn’t give up so easily on us, a God who consistently pours out His grace, and offers us forgiveness and hope.

In our verse in Jeremiah we read that God has plans to prosper us ‘…to give us a hope and a future’. It tells us how good our God is and the great plans He has for us. It doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges, difficult seasons, or bad days, but it does mean that when we do God will consistently be there to help us through. As we put our trust in the Lord He will give us hope, and a future. In Lamentations 3:22-23 we read that God’s love never ends, and His mercies are new every morning. We can be reassured that He won’t give up on us half way through the year (like our new year’s resolutions) as He’s the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Knowing this I’m challenged to make a resolution to be more Christ like- being consistent in the way I offer grace and forgiveness to others. It’s good to know if my resolution starts to slide I have a consistent God who will gently nudge me back on track for He has plans for me, ones to give me hope and a future.