Going into the New Year, most of us do so with a sense of expectation. Although there are many unknowns, we also have faith in the God who holds our lives, our futures in His hands. He is sovereign over all and knows what is best for us. How do we know this?

God’s Word brings us a comforting promise, along with an insightful command as we face a new year. We read in Hebrews 13:5-6, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

We can live this coming year without fear if we apply these four incredibly wonderful truths to our lives and root them deep into our hearts.

The first truth is having contentment with God’s provision. Provision is not getting what you want, but it is wanting what you already have. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” If you know Jesus Christ, you have contentment. If you have clothes on your back, something to eat, and Jesus Christ in your heart, you are rich!

Do you know why we have fear? Because we think our needs or the needs of someone we love are not going to be met. Or we fear that the things we think are meeting our needs are going to be taken away from us. The deepest need of your heart can only be met in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The second truth is something we do not fully understand nor practice as we should. We have the promise of His presence. I do not know what I am going to face next year. But there’s one thing I know, He will never leave me. Are you a child of God? He will never leave you either. Isn’t that wonderful!

What’s another reason we may fear in the coming year? Because we’re afraid we’re going to have to face something we don’t understand, and we’re going to have to face it alone.

When God’s Word promises that God will never forsake you, it means that He will never abandon you. He will not give up on you. We need to practice the presence of the Lord this coming year. When the devil comes and knocks at your heart’s door, you can simply say, “Jesus, please go answer the door.”

The third truth is something from within ourselves. Do we trust God? The third truth is we can have confidence in His promises. To do that, we are going to zero in on a little phrase in our verses in Hebrews, “God has said.” A promise is no better than the one who makes it. God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” It is the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God. This is the confidence of His promise.

In the coming year, when you say, “God, I do not have the strength.” The omnipotent God will answer, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” When you say, “God, I’m afraid of what is going to happen.” The omnipresent God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” And when you say, “God, I do not know what to do.” The omniscient God will respond, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” This is God’s Word and promises to us. Do we believe it?

The final truth is something we often pray for. We have the promise here of God’s protection in our lives. Hebrews 13:6 promises, ” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Now, put that with verse 5, which says, “God has said.”Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Like I said earlier, I do not know what you are going to go through this coming year. But I know you can boldly say with confidence, ” The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” When you find your contentment, companionship, and confidence in Jesus. Then, you will find your comfort and courage in Jesus.