God's Faithfulness in New Beginnings - Your Nightly Prayer - April 23rd

God's Faithfulness in New Beginnings
Your Nightly Prayer
by Greg Grandchamp

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE 

“The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” - Psalm 145:13

SOMETHING TO PONDER

The concept of a fresh start resonates with most of us. It reminds us that whatever has gone before is old news, and we can begin afresh. We can use the past as a lesson from which we can grow, not as an anchor or a hindrance that holds us back. Our God is a God of unlimited second chances, and His Word is a rich source of stories with new beginnings, inspiring and comforting anyone seeking to start over. These stories span God's Word from the creation of all humanity in Genesis to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation. From the flood, to the exodus, to the conquest of the promised land, to the return from the Babylonian exile – all culminated by the greatest new beginning in all of history: the resurrection of Jesus and the new life we are each offered. The conversion of Saul, persecutor of Christians, into Paul, one of the most influential of all apostles and the author of most of the New Testament, showed us the promise and power of new beginnings. Saul’s conversion showed us that no one is beyond redemption. No one is outside of the fresh start offered by Christ Jesus. 

Scripture provides us with powerful examples of second chances, of transformation, and of endless possibilities. Nothing and no one is beyond God’s reach. There is always an opportunity for spiritual renewal and a fresh start. And fresh starts are not reserved just for new believers. It is for us all – each and every one of us who have experienced struggles in this life. What better reminder of this than springtime? We see grasses and flowers and trees…all growing once again, after a winter of bone-chilling cold, which can so easily breed discouragement and illness. Cold seasons come into everyone's life – with discouragement, illness, loneliness, divorce, disability, death of loved ones…and so much more. Yet, the Lord’s springtime also comes to all who wait patiently and trust in Him. And when spring arrives, it overcomes all that went before.  Winter storms make us that much more grateful when spring comes around. We can once again, “…walk in the newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)  In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah tells us that, “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning…” (Lamentations 3:22-23) And, of course, David reassures us that “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.”

What can give us greater assurance than the promises of our God? Unlike merely human promises, His are filled with hope and a future. They offer us comfort and guidance – and the promise of renewal. They encourage us to embrace new beginnings – hold on to fresh starts. And we can do that with faith and trust in the Lord’s guidance. Is there any greater new beginning promised to believers than eternal life? In Revelation 21:5, God proclaims, “Behold, I make all things new.” All things new. Wow. We will see a new heaven and a new earth – where we will dwell with the Lord forever. Free from pain. Free from sorrow or regret. God’s faithfulness in new beginnings is an unending source of hope and assurance for those who believe and trust. It matters not how many times we fall; God promises us a new beginning.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for your mercy, grace, forgiveness, and your promise of a fresh start. I know, Father, deep in my heart, that you will be there with me and see me through all things. And this I pray in the powerful name of your son Jesus.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. God’s faithfulness can be found in the New Covenant, established through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
2. Regardless of what we have done or what we are going through. Regardless of past or present failures or challenges, God is ready, willing, and able to lead us into a fresh start. (Revelation 21:5)
3. God’s word provides a bright beacon of hope – with full assurance that no matter what we have faced, no matter what we have done or how we have lived, we are not beyond God’s reach. (Galatians 6:9)

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/AlexanderAndrews

Grandchamp is an author and speaker. His book, “In Pursuit of Truth, A Journey Begins,” is an easy-to-read narrative that offers answers to the most common questions new believers and non-believers have about Jesus Christ (Amazon.) Greg speaks on living out our faith in our daily lives – and on creating true disciples of Christ.
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email  or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.

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