Enduring Salvation: How can we face the coming year with confidence?

Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. Isaiah 51:4–6

At the turn of the year we think of fireworks, popping champagne corks, and Auld Lang Syne. But there are other curious customs around the world said to predict the future or ensure good fortune. ‘Lead casting’, for example – people pour molten lead into water, and the shape it takes supposedly tells you something about the future. Some people take a fish scale from their Christmas carp, dry it, and put it in their wallets so that they never run out of money.

That’s the belief, anyway. Or superstition, rather. Such traditions really mean nothing at all. But the question of what lies ahead occupies us Christians as well. What will happen to your business? Will you make it through the new year at school or university? Will your pension be enough? Will there be stability in our country?

In the past year, we may have experienced difficult events that won’t just fade away as we enter 2025 but will accompany us into the new year. Many questions may occupy our minds! But here’s the thing: God’s Word shows us much more clearly what is to come than any fish scale or lead casting ever could. Give attention to me, my people, says the Lord.

Not all of what He says about the future sounds rosy: the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die like gnats. With this stark image, the Lord shows us that what may seem to be so permanent now will disappear sooner than we realise. In the face of death, we appear like gnats: One day we’re hale and healthy, and the next we may lie in hospital or even in a coffin. It’s good to be mindful of our transience and know that we and our loved ones will not live here forever. The question is: What’s really important – and what isn’t? Let’s not put off what is important in the assumption that at some point in future we can take more time for God and His word, for prayer, repentance, and the Lord’s Supper. Now is the time.

At the same time, the Lord encourages us: my righteousness will never be dismayed. If you have suffered injustice, take heart and be comforted: God will ensure justice is done. But by “justice” he also means much more than just fairness. He means that our standing before him is to be made whole. That’s what the Lord wants for you: that your grief not drive you to despair, that your sin and inner brokenness not have the last word, that your future not be determined by your failures – no, He wants to guarantee your righteousness, your salvation, and eternal well-being. And how? Through Christ, the righteousness of God in person. As it says so beautifully in Jeremiah 23: This is the name by which he [i.e. Christ] will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness. Your restoration, your salvation, your righteousness before God is at hand and ready to be made public for all the world to see. By faith, Jesus Christ is counted to you as righteousness. As a gift of grace alone.

Much will pass away. But what Christ achieved on the cross will remain forever. This coming year we will experience changes, some of which may be frightening. Many things may be taken from us. But focus on what will remain forever: God’s Word (Is 40:8), God’s grace (54:8), his eternal new covenant (55:3), and now also his salvation (51:6). These things are sure! What will 2025 bring? Look to the crucified Christ with his strong arms to take you by the hand and guide you even through the valley of the shadow of death into his glorious, eternal light.

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