Hope From God's Word For The New Year

Deuteronomy 31.1-8, 32.44-47

There are transitional times in life. The purchase of a house, the beginning of a new job, marriage, the arrival if the first child, the loss of a loved one. These and many more are times of change. Some of you are going through one of these things right now.

There are transitional times which come if none of these things are occurring. Birthdays: When you are 16 you can learn to drive, at 18 you can vote and serve in the military., 35 you can run for president of the United States and at 62 you can begin to collect Social Security.

New Year's Day is a transitional time. It is a time of new beginnings, a time to start another year, a time to celebrate God's goodness.

In my conversations with friends this week there is a growing concern about the economy, the desire of North Korea to develop a nuclear missile which can reach the United States and the aftermath of the social breakdown all around us.

We need Hope. There is Hope in God and in His Word.

Israel was in a transitional time. Moses' leadership was coming to an end. God had already prepared Joshua. He spoke through Moses to keep the people calm during this change of national leadership. His Word through His servant encouraged and challenged the people.

The Word Moses received from the LORD for all Israel is God's Word for us on this first day of the year of our LORD, 2012.

1. The LORD Your God Himself Will Go Ahead of You. -v.3

The theologians call this "The Eternal Now". God transcends all time. He is LORD over time. He created time and He lives in eternity. He does invade time and weaves His plan through it.

Psalm 139.13-16 Nothing in your life takes God by surprise. He knows about everything this past year and He knows what is going to happen in 2012.

The LORD God will go ahead of you in this New Year 2012. Do not fret over doomsday forecasters- Remember Y2K? Don't fret over kingdoms rising an falling Psalm 46.

The LORD your God will go ahead of you.

In this life from conception to Glory.

He is the author and finisher of our faith Hebrews 12.2 Let us fix our eyes on Him!

You say but this is an day of evil. Ephesians 6.10-13

It is an evil time.

2. The LORD Will Deliver You From Evil. -v.5

As you obey Him.

Psalm 23.4 Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

Matthew 6.13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

John 17.15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Romans 16.20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

Revelation 20.10 And the devil, who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire.

Finally this morning as we think about Hope From God's Word for the New Year...

3. The LORD Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You. vs.6-8

Be Strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid.

The LORD Your God goes with you.

Do not be afraid.

Do not be discouraged. One of the flaming arrows of the evil one (fiery darts) is discouragement.

This arrow is shot both in the head (mind, attitude, thinking) and to the heart causing it to melt. This is a call to life up faith's shield. If you get hit or have been hit and are struggling this morning you have come to the right place.

The LORD wants us to go into 2012 like Israel into the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 32.44-47