A NEW YEAR — I RESOLVE
He went without knowing where he was going.
And even when he reached the land God promised him,
he lived there by faith
Hebrews 11:8—9 (NLT)
It’s already mid-January 2026. I didn’t ignore making some New Year’s resolutions, but I was too busy with the new year to write about it. Thoughts about hopes and dreams for the new year were still bouncing around in my mind, scattered through the prayers and musings of my journal.
I read from Hebrews 11, a chapter commonly called the “Hall of Faith” or “The Faith Chapter” in the Bible. No telling how many times I have read this over the years, but this time, parts of two verses stood out to me. In verses 8— 9, the writer of Hebrews spoke of Abraham: he went without knowing where he was going. (NLT) To top off that decision, there is the realization that “even when he reached the land, he lived by faith.” I don’t know about you, but sometimes I reason, “I’ll trust God to get me there by faith, and then all will be well. Life will be smooth sailing. I’ll know I’m in the right place.” Nope, Abraham needed to continue living by faith in his new situation. Living with God is living by faith. I remember spending sixteen days backpacking in Colorado years ago. I soon learned to keep my focus on a mountain peak or a rise in the land ahead. In the triumph of reaching that destination, though, I quickly realized that spot was only the beginning of yet another climb. I must continue. The achievement was not the end of the journey.
For me, any resolution must be built upon a strong foundation. I want the substructure for next year’s goals to include two supporting tenets.
My first tenet takes the form of
a conviction:
By faith, I believe and will obey God. Any resolution, whether it looks like a goal, plan, dream, or even a fleeting idea, must be grounded in obedience to and faith in God. Bible study, prayer, discipline, and wise counsel will guide me. Anything less will, in fact, be fleeting and most likely forgotten within the month!
For years, one of my sons has written goals on his bathroom mirror. Over time, the important ones remain and are refined, while others fade because they no longer align with what he now believes is his priority.
For something similar to happen in my life, I must live by faith and be open to His leading. I must trust God and be willing to change. Am I fluid and willing, or am I set in my ways?
If they had longed for the country they came from,
they could have gone back.
But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.
That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God,
for he has prepared a city for them.
My second tenet is a promise to myself and to God, knowing it can only be achieved by God’s help:
I will keep looking forward. I’ll not give in to longings for “the good ‘ol days” or the comfort of what I already know. My daily prayer will be that God keeps me from the temptation to settle for second best. I know “me” and how easily I can give in to familiar achievements requiring less effort. Less discipline. Less prayer. I want my focus to remain in a better place that God has prepared for me.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster,
to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
I RESOLVE:
* to walk in obedience by faith
* to look forward, even when it requires change, discipline, and letting go of my old, comfortable ways
Challenge: Won’t you meditate on these Scriptures? Ask God to show you where you need to walk in faith, where you need to keep looking forward, and what He has planned for you. Resolve to grow in obedience and faith.