By Sheila Barnett
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.” (Psalms 71:14, NIV)
Traditionally, most people greet a new year with high hopes and expectations. We set goals, anticipate new possibilities, and find hope for a better future. Many cultures around the globe ring in the New Year by observing traditions meant to attract good luck for the coming year. For example, in Spain, 12 grapes are eaten at midnight – one for each chime of the clock. On New Year’s Eve in Greece, an onion is hung on the door. On New Year’s Day, parents wake their children by tapping the onion on their heads. If you lived in Switzerland, you might drop a spoonful of ice cream on the floor at midnight on New Year’s Eve to bring good luck.
Should we put our hope in traditions? The Bible tells us to put our hope in the Lord. Psalms 62:5 (NIV) says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Other verses in the Bible remind us that our hope rests in God because of His love for us and His faithfulness to us. In Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV) we read, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” And Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) encourages believers with, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
Traditions definitely have their place in the lives of people all over the world. I’m starting a tradition for each new year by reading Romans 15:13 (NIV) as a prayer for family, friends, and anyone reading these words: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Thank you, Dear Lord, that we can be confident of the hope we have in You.