A New Year Filled with Hope
Design by Blessed Ong
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ~ Isaiah 43:19, ESV
May these words from the God of Hope be your daily companion in the new year! Just as He has been faithful through the eventful 2021, He will not only see us through 2022, but will cause us to thrive in wondrous new ways.
Consider partnering with EAST to fulfill its God-given mission in the new year because you can never outgive God: www.donorbox.org/partner-east
Shalom blessings from EAST!
The Lord is my portion
The word “portion” appears several other times other than this, such as in Psalm 73:26, Psalm 142:5 and most notably Psalm 16:5, which reads: “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.” but what does the word “portion” mean in this context?
In other versions of the bible, “portion” is translated as “inheritance.” When these writers say the Lord is their portion, they mean that he is their allotment, their inheritance, their source of security, and in this case, hope.
If you’ve paid attention to the last few verses, you may have realised that there has been a focus on gratitude and thanksgiving. While this verse may not explicitly call for that, it is relevant, especially when we are reminded constantly about the fallen nature of man, and how the world we live in is a broken one, waiting to be restored when Jesus returns. It can be difficult to read the news every day and feel discouraged by all the sin and suffering everywhere, but this verse reminds us to look to the Lord as our source of security and hope.
Be Still. He is Still God.
This new year has begun in the midst of very unique times indeed. We continue to keep the regions of the world in prayer through this season of the global pandemic.
Still, we continue to be still and keep our eyes on the Lord. He takes us through these times as the One who has gone ahead of us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in Him.”
~ Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV ~
This is a song with a good reminder for this season. May the Lord lead you through this new year with fruitfulness and love.
Song lyrics are below for your reference.
Don’t Conform. Be Transformed.
Mrs Josephine Li, EAST Partners in Ministry Faculty, shared at the last chapel service that this was how she discovered God’s will and vision for her life:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2, ESV)
See the Goodness of God
Photo: Matheo JBT; Design: Jonathan Yao
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14, NAS)
In Psalm 27, verses 1 through 6, King David expressed his confidence in a God of whom he has had deep communion with. Then in verses 7 through 14, he turned from praise to plaintiff prayer of dependence and hope in a redemptive God. This Psalm has been known as one of “composites” with extreme high of joy and jubilance in the first half and thence sinking to the depth of sadness and near despair in the latter part (Pulpit Commentary).
Read how verse 13, as part of the ending verses, unify these extremes to produce hope in us.
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