Author: Jayne Lawson

Scripture: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5

Observation: In his book, James writes about the importance of spiritual wisdom as vital for godly living. He emphasizes that our lives should reflect our faith.

Application: I can recall times in my life when I have acted without thinking something through,  and then shortly thereafter, I had great regrets over my impulsivity. Without wisdom, decisions are not founded upon anything that is reliable, and many times our emotions cloud our choices.

Learning from the “school of hard knocks” is not the wise way to go through life. It involves learning from mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes can have long-lasting negative consequences. To avoid this, we must diligently seek out godly wisdom, and that is found in the Scriptures.

Proverbs 4:7 states, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” One of the first things we discover when we allow God to lead us is that His wisdom is available to us simply for the asking. In today’s verse, James informs us of that very thing!

As we determine to let the Lord lead us in 2026, take time to seek out His wisdom in His Word. It is through the Scriptures that God leads us, and it is with His wisdom that our steps are guided on the straight and narrow way, His path of righteousness, as we strive to follow Him.

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, please fill me with the wisdom of Your Word, and help me to follow You so closely that Your shadow falls upon me. Help me to cherish the wisdom of Your words and apply them to my life. In Your sweet precious name, I pray. Amen.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy dear child;
Thou in me dwelling, with thee reconciled.

(from “Be Thou My Vision” by Eleanor H. Hull)

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“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” – Proverbs 3:13

Scripture: “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5

Observation: David has such a consistency in his writings. Often, he seeks God’s deliverance from his enemies, but then moves into seeking forgiveness for his own sins. In this psalm, he is asking the Lord to teach him the truths of God in His mercy and grace.

Application: One of the most interesting things about being led is that we get to choose whether or not we will follow! When it comes to being led in our lives, we get to choose who will lead us and then decide whether or not we will acquiesce.

Basically, in our lives we get to choose whether we will follow God or ourselves! Jeremiah 17:9 reminds me that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” So if I choose my own leadership, I am choosing someone who is not reliable. In fact, I am selecting someone who is not honest and does not have my spiritual well-being as a priority.

On the other hand, when I choose God to guide me, I have someone whose qualities are exactly what I look for in a leader.

1. God will never lie to me.
   1. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” – Numbers 23:19
2. God desires the best for me.
   1. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11
3. God makes no mistakes.
   1. “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” – Deuteronomy 32:4
4. God will never abandon me.
   1. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

No matter how long my life’s journey takes, I will wait on God to lead me because I know He will never lead me astray! Let us determine to choose wisely those whom we follow! As Joshua said, “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (24:15)

Prayer: O heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me! No matter what happens in my life, I know that with You by my side, I can endure. Guide me with Your precious Word, and help me to follow You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

It may be in the valley, here countless dangers hide;
It may be in the sunshine that I, in peace abide;
But this one thing I know - if it be dark or fair,
If Jesus is with me, I’ll go anywhere!

If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go - Anywhere!
’Tis heaven to me, where’er I may be, if He is there!
I count it a privilege here, His cross to bear;
If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go - Anywhere!

(from “If Jesus Goes With Me” by C. Austin Miles)

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“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.” – Psalm 25:4

Scripture: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” – Isaiah 65:17

Observation: While God is displeased greatly with the continual sins and rebellion of Israel, Isaiah reminds the people that God will be faithful to forgive His people, and one day He will prepare for them a new heaven and earth, so that they may dwell with Him forever.

Application: There is a saying that goes, “All roads lead to home”. This refers to the many different situations in which we find ourselves throughout our lives, and no matter what they may be, there is a pull in our hearts toward the familiar. This tug of familiarity gives us comfort and peace in our inner being, evoking strong feelings of a connection or sense of belonging, an innate need of all humanity.

When all roads lead directly to a specific location, it’s easy to get there, but when the way to a specific destination is a labyrinth of intertwined routes, it’s more difficult to find the correct path, and thus, much more likely of becoming hopelessly lost. That’s when it is very helpful to have someone leading the way.

That’s how it is in life. The ultimate destination for Christians is described in the Bible in 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Jesus has told us in John 14:2 that He is preparing a place for us to dwell with Him forever. “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

So how do we get there? We need a trustworthy guide, and Jesus is the only One who can lead us. In fact, He promises to come and take us to heaven personally. John 14:3 records His promise, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Unfortunately, many people try to get their on their own. The world offers many paths it claims will lead to heaven, but they are just a network of confusing routes that lead to eternal destruction. Roads with the labels of “Good Moral Values” or “Doer of Many Good Things for Others” are examples of misleading trails that lead nowhere.

Jesus is the One who leads the true way to heaven. He stated in John 11:33, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” If you want your final destination to be heaven, there is only one way to get there. Good morals, great works, supporting charities, etc., are all detours that will never get you to an eternity in heaven with the Lord. Jesus is the way… the only way. As sinners, we must be forgiven of our sins, and only He can do that. His work on the cross provided salvation for anyone who seeks it. Romans 10:13 tells us, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Simply call on His name for forgiveness, invite Christ to be your Lord and Saviour, and He will be your guide through this life to your eternal one in heaven!  

Prayer: My dearest Saviour, thank You for saving me when I was a young girl and putting my feet on Your path of righteousness. I know I often veer off, but it is Your faithfulness that brings me back to where I need to be. Help me avoid the detours and remain faithful to You alone! In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus is the only way unto peace and rest;
Why not come to Him today, and be saved and blest?

Come, O come to Jesus, He's the only way;
Turn from sin and seek His face and His Word obey;
Tho' your sins be many and vile. He'll forgive today.

Vain upon your works to trust, they cannot avail;
Trust in Jesus Christ we must, else our hopes will fail.

Come, O come to Jesus, He's the only way;
Turn from sin and seek His face and His Word obey;
Tho' your sins be many and vile. He'll forgive today.

(from “Jesus is the Only Way” by Charles Price Jones)

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“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” – Revelation 21:3

Scripture: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6

Observation: Paul wrote about achieving joy and peace through Jesus. In this chapter, he stresses that gratitude, focusing on the positive, and depending upon God are the primary keys to contentment and living a life pleasing to the Lord.

Application: In all the years I have known my husband, he has been a wanderlust. We have been fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world, experiencing many adventures I never would have attempted on my own. My husband has always preferred for us to set out on our own rather than have a guide take us to see the sites. My role in our travels has been that of the navigator. At first, I used paper maps and eventually, I graduated to the technical GPS app on my phone. Even though my husband was the leader in our many expeditions, I would often chime in with suggestions for alternate routes or additional sites to visit.

Our life is the same. God is the leader, but He desires to get input from us. His Word tells us that He wants to know our every desire. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” Today’s verse also tells us to pray for everything. 1 Peter 3:12 also states, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…”

As we navigate through life, we must never forget that we have a heavenly Father who delights in blessing us. While it is true that God is in control, and He leads us according to His perfect will, He wants us to share our desires and hopes with Him. When our requests are made in alignment to His will, He will answer. Allowing God to lead doesn’t mean we become puppets that simply live at His beck and call. Jesus came to give us more than we could ever think or imagine! Ephesians 3:20 states, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”

When we allow God to lead us, we still continue to share our heart’s desires with Him. Then, as we follow Him, we can expect a life full of wonderful blessings, much more than we could have ever dreamed possible!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, what a wonderful Saviour You are! You have blessed me beyond my wildest imaginations, and I am so grateful. Help me to continue to strive to trust You, allowing You to lead me as I go through life. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear
To him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face, believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! 

(from “Sweet Hour of Prayer” by W. W. Walford)

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“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – Psalm 37:4

Scripture: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Observation: This book, thought to have been written by Solomon, explores the meaning of life. Ultimately, the writer states that the meaning of life is found in God. By having a reverential fear of God and obeying His Word, we will find the true meaning of and satisfaction in our lives.

Application: Letting God lead works great when things are progressing along as we desire, but when things don’t go as planned, we often take matters into our own hands. Often, when we yank the reins from God’s hands and assume control, we aren’t even aware of what we are doing! Truly if someone were to say to me, “Hey, you took control away from God!”, I’d be shaking my head in disbelief. Surely, I wouldn’t try to usurp God’s control… or would I?

It’s important to remember a few key things about God and about ourselves. First, God’s ways are beyond our comprehension. Isaiah 55:9 records God’s words, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God acts according to His time table, and it is the perfect time table. Nothing happens too soon or too late in God’s plan, but most of the time, my schedule doesn’t sync with the Lord’s. When I want something, I usually want it immediately, and then when I rush things, they don’t always end up well.

Secondly, I’m definitely not as smart as I’d like to think I am. 1 Corinthians 8:2 confirms this, “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” It is much wiser to trust the plan to the One who knows it all! My vision is very limited, but God sees the big picture. He knows what is best, when it is best, and how best to allow events to come to fruition. To trust myself over Him is pure foolishness on my part.

Lastly, we are all here for a specific purpose that God has for each one of us. In Jeremiah 29:11, God states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” He has a perfect plan for me and for you, and He has a perfect time for everything in our lives… everything! We need to trust God’s timing as He leads us through our lives.

We are each in a certain season of our lives, and it is vital that we allow God to lead us if we want to successfully navigate through it. Let’s be sure to let God take the lead, and purpose in our hearts to follow Him as closely as we possibly can this year.

Prayer: Dearest Father, how great Thou art! I am amazed that You think so much of me and have a perfect plan for me! Please help me surrender my will to You and follow You all the days of my life. Help me to trust You more and more each day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

In his time, in his time, He makes all things beautiful in his time
Lord please show me everyday, as you're teaching me your way
That you do just what you say in your time

In your time, in your time. You make all things beautiful in your time
Lord my life to you I bring, may each song I have to sing
Be to you a lovely thing in your time

Lord please show me everyday as you’re teaching me your way
That you do just what you say in your time

(from “In His Time” by Linda Diane Ball)

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“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” – Habakkuk 2:3

Scripture: “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” – Micah 7:7

Observation: Like most of the prophets, Micah is grieved over the sins of the people, but realizes that deliverance comes from God, and He will be faithful to do so in His time. Micah is writing during a time when the threat of the neighboring Assyrians looms over them.

Application: There seems to be a common thread between both Christians and non-believers. That is, when danger is imminent, both groups turn to God for their salvation! I have several acquaintances, who don’t have any interest in God, that come to me asking for me to intercede for them in prayer when trouble rises. The same holds true for believers who find themselves following their own desires over those of God’s. When struggles become overwhelming, both groups know where to find their help and deliverance, no matter how much they insist they don’t need Him.

Letting God lead should never be a last resort, but I sometimes find myself in that exact situation. Most likely, being in control will be a struggle for me all my life, but I am more aware of it now than I was in years gone by. As I study more of the Scriptures and work to align my life more with that of Jesus, I tend to pay a little more attention to the Holy Spirit, and I am more apt to let go of the reins and let God lead me, but I’m still a work in progress and have a long way to go (Philippians 1:6).

It is amazing to think that the majority of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, believe deep down in our hearts that  God knows what is best, is all-powerful, can do anything, and never makes a mistake, yet we still insist on our own ways before we turn to Him! As God often says in His Word, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” (Acts 7:51)

The good news is that God is a forgiving God. Psalm 86:5 states, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” He truly is the One who saves, delivers, and heals!! He is long-suffering, and patiently waits for His children to return to Him, even if it is again and again and again! God described Himself to Moses thusly, “…The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7).

When we finally accept that the best leader we could ever follow is God, He is ready to take that responsibility from us and lead us in the paths He has chosen for us. Proverbs 16:9 states, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” It is reassuring that a Christian can only wander away so far before God pulls Him back on the right path. In John 10:28, Jesus affirmed, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” God only allows us to go so far before intervening. However, it is much better to return sooner than later and not experience God’s discipline. Procrastination is not our friend when it comes to choosing God’s ways. However, when God does find the need to chasten us, we must remember that it is because we belong to Him, and He loves us. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…” (Hebrews 12:6).

Let us endeavor to make 2026 the year we let God lead us rather than wait until we find ourselves so far from His will that the Lord has to intervene to admonish us in our folly.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for leading me even when I’ve been resistant. Help me to follow You every day in every situation. Please order my steps that I may walk worthy of what You’ve called me to do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, "Come, follow Me!"
And we see where Thy footprints falling, lead us to Thee.

Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;
we will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go.

(from “Footprints of Jesus” by M. B. C. Slade)

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“Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”- Isaiah 48:17

Scripture: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21

Observation: Isaiah is writing during the Babylonian exile to those in captivity. He is reminding them of the promises of God and providing comfort during a very difficult time in Israel’s history. Throughout the book, Isaiah writes about sin and its judgment, the holiness of God, and the promise of a coming Messiah.

Application: I remember attempting to walk through a corn maze with my grandson one year during a visit to his home. I thought, “I can do this!” After 30 minutes or so I would have given anything for someone to come and take me by the hand and lead me out. Even when we passed a familiar stalk (or so I thought), we was still hopelessly lost. Finally, we made an illegal move… we veered off the path and cut through the stalks to the edge of the field. I was never so glad to be out of that maze!

Life is often like that when I take the lead, choosing to forge on ahead without seeking God’s guidance. It is hard to admit that even when I know the Holy Spirit is whispering to my heart about which direction to go, I stubbornly think, “I can do this!” Then, before I know it, I am hopelessly lost in a situation that is way beyond my control. My only recourse is to cry out to God for rescue!

One thing that is so difficult to understand is that I KNOW God’s ways are best, yet I still choose to veer off His path and venture out on my own, frequently discovering that my plan does not lead to what I had hoped it would. Being lost is a frightening realization.

I am reminded of the wandering sheep in Luke 15. It ambled off, became lost in the hills, and in its despair and fright, cried out for the Shepherd, who came to the rescue. As my Shepherd, Jesus watches over me, and when I meander off on my own into sinful situations, He comes for me the moment I cry out for His help. He  He is quick to forgive, rebuild the broken relationship, and restore the sweet fellowship from which I walked away.

It is wise to let Jesus lead us along His straight and narrow paths of righteousness. That is where we are safe, cared for, and nurtured. Let’s make 2026, the year of letting God lead by staying close to Jesus, the Shepherd of our souls.

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, keep me close to You all the time. When I stray, bring me back into Your fold by Your sweet mercy and grace. Thank You for always being faithful to protect and care for me. In Your  name, I pray. Amen.

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us, be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, hear, O hear us when we pray.

(from “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” by Dorothy Thrupp & Henry Lyte)

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“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” – John 10:27

Scripture: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19

Observation: This is such a powerful chapter that Isaiah was inspired to write. God is reminding His people who He is! No matter what they had faced, God had always delivered them. Here, the reminder is that God continues to be the Saviour of His people even when they continually sin against Him. God was always there, ready to forgive and restore.

Application: I was recently reminded that when God forgives us, it is a forever forgiveness. The Bible tells us that when God forgives, all of our sins are cast “into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19), and that He “… will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).

Sometimes we don’t let God forgive! In truth, we can’t stop God from forgiving us when we ask, but there are times we hold on to the sin we’ve sought forgiveness for and repeatedly go back to Him again and again asking for the same forgiveness for the same sin. His Word tell us in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The truth is that once I ask Him to forgive me, He does exactly that. It’s a done deal!

So why do we repeatedly ask God to forgive us for something we’ve already brought to Him? We seek the alleviation of the guilt that accompanies sin. Unfortunately, sin has its consequences even when forgiven, and one of those consequences is guilt. Just because we are forgiven doesn’t mean the guilt automatically disappears. When the guilt resurfaces, we feel compelled to seek forgiveness for that sin again because we think if we feel bad, we must not have been forgiven. But the truth is… God forgave the moment we asked, AND He has FORGOTTEN those sins. We must hold on to the truth of God’s Word and remember that God never does anything half-way! When He forgives, we are 100% forgiven!

When an individual asks Jesus to forgive their sins and become their Lord and Saviour, He makes that person new in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We may look the same on the outside, but inward, we are changed! Our hearts begin to align with God’s heart, and we have a different perspective when it comes to sin. We begin to understand that sin, no matter how “harmless” it may seem, can have consequences that endanger us, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This helps us strive to avoid sin… to take the way of escape that God always provides. 1 Corinthians 10:13 confirms this, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” The more we learn and apply God’s Word to our lives, the closer we become to being a person “after God’s own heart”.

As we study the Bible, we’ll find verse after verse about the joys of salvation and God’s forgiveness. Psalm 103:12 states, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Let us not wallow in the sins of our past. They are gone, washed away by the blood of Christ.

Let God lead you this year on a new path… the path of assurance that your sins have been forgiven once and for all! With that blessed assurance, we can move forward in 2026 learning more about Him, growing more in our own walk with Him, and sharing Him with others!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance that when You forgive, I am truly forgiven! Thank You that Jesus paid for my sins on the cross, and I am a recipient of His salvation and Your gift of everlasting life! It’s good to be a child of God! In Jesus’ name, I pray! Amen!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

(from “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby)

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“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” – Isaiah 43:18

Scripture:  “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” – Psalm 40:3

Observation: There is a great consistency in the writings of David. Whenever he finds himself in undesirable or dangerous situations, after he pours out his heart, he always returns to the truth that God loves him and will take care of him. It is understandable why God refers to David as “a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22).

Application: Letting God lead doesn’t always refer to giving up personal control over situations. Sometimes it refers to releasing something that is harmful to our spiritual lives and choosing to follow what God says in His Word. Sometimes we insist that we are justified with feelings such as bitterness, anger, etc., but Jeremiah tells us “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (17:9). The Bible also cautions against harboring these types of feelings as well. Here are four of those warnings.

• Bitterness
  • “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” – Hebrews 12:15
• Jealousy
  • “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” – James 3:16
• Anger
  • “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:9
• Hatred
  • “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;” – Proverbs 26:24

By clinging to these types of negative emotions, we are choosing to follow our own hearts instead of God’s. We risk damaging our walk with God, destroying our testimony to others, and diminishing our own faith. So what can we do? Here are some practical solutions from the Scriptures.

• “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” _ Proverbs 4:23
  • Our thoughts and emotions shape our actions and influence our lives greatly. Focus your heart on things that are positive, edifying to your soul, and glorifying to God.
• “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” – 2 Corinthians 10:5
  • Our minds can fabricate lies that prohibit us from serving God and destroying our walk with Christ. Be aware of these types of thoughts and do not allow them to settle in your heart. Identify them for what they are and replace them with what you know is true.
• “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
  • Focus on those things that you know are true instead of speculating on the “what-ifs”, “I think…”, or “I feel…”  Speculation is often the root of those negative thoughts; our minds seem to delight in building “mountains out of mole hills”!

This year, let God lead you through His Word because, unlike our hearts, it never deceives; it never leads you astray, and it never disappoints. Colossians 3:16 states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Because the Bible is completely trustworthy, when we follow it, we will be rewarded with the peace of God. Philippians 4:7 promises, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  

Make 2026 the year of letting God lead and keeping your thoughts focused on the truths of His Word!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the truth of Your Word. Please help me follow You each day, getting rid of the negativity in my heart and replacing it with Your love. Help me to meditate on the verses that will encourage me and enable me to serve You better. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.

You are the Potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me, this is what I pray.

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.

(from “Change My Heart, O God” by Eddie Espinosa)

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“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32

Scripture: “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” – Lamentations 3:26

Observation: The beginning of this chapter finds Jeremiah in misery. He feels that God has led him into a very dark place and no longer hears his prayers. However, in this time of despair, the prophet does remember that God is faithful. He realizes that the sins of the people are responsible for their situations, and if they trust in God and wait for Him to act, He will save His people.

Application: “Lord, give me patience right now!” is often joked about, but truthfully, I know I have prayed this a couple of times! When things don’t happen as quickly as I’d like, I have a tendency to find a way to expedite the matter to get the results I want. Unfortunately, when I jump in and manipulate things to hasten the outcome, the results are not always the best nor what I had wanted. I so need to learn how to wait!!

The importance of waiting on the Lord is explained in many verses in the Bible, but waiting is never easy. Why not? Waiting involves trusting God and allowing Him to take the lead. But while it may be hard to learn, here are four amazing benefits that come from waiting on the Lord:

1. Psalm 27:14 – “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
   1. Our heart will be strengthened…not our physical heart, but our spiritual heart. As we search for understanding in His Word, we read about the promises He has already fulfilled and gain confidence that He will do the same for us in His time. Depending on and waiting for God to act grows our faith.
2. Isaiah 40:31 – “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
   1. Our spiritual strength will be renewed as our faith and trust is cultivated by waiting for God to respond. Instead of having a faith that wanes, we find our faith strengthened and renewed as we anticipate God’s deliverance of whatever we face in life. We know that God is unchanging, and in His Word, we see God’s faithfulness time and time again. We have no reason to doubt Him; we just need to let Him lead and trust Him for all outcomes.
3. Isaiah 30:18 – “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”
   1. God’s timing can seem like He doesn’t care, but the exact opposite is true! Here, we read that sometimes God waits so He CAN be gracious to us!! When He demonstrates His grace and mercy in our lives, we are blessed and as a result, we praise Him and exalt His name!
4. Galatians 5:5 – “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”
   1. It is interesting to note that it is by His power that we are enabled to wait for His responses!! The Spirit of God empowers us to trust His Word and wait on the Lord to act. Our hope of His righteousness being imputed to us happens when we accept Christ’s forgiveness, and then when we pray, we wait, knowing that God will act righteously and faithfully according to His perfect time and perfect will.

Today’s verse reminds us that sometimes we must wait for God to deliver us from hardships and struggles in life, but He is faithful to do so. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 confirms this, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” Remember, Jesus asked us to be followers of Him, not the other way around. As we learn to wait and trust, we are also learning to let God lead. Lamentations 3:25 is an encouragement to all of us on this journey, “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” Let us determine in 2026, to “let go and let God”!

Prayer: Dearest Father, thank You for showing me the need to wait on You. Please help me to learn how to do that. Help me to remember that Your ways are so much higher than mine, and help me to trust You for all things, even the ones that require me to wait! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

God picked up a sparrow that could no longer fly
He brushed off its wounds and then watched it soar into the sky
If He's mindful of creation, on this I can depend
I am His child and I can place all my trust in Him

I can trust Jesus, I can trust Jesus
He never once has failed to meet my needs
He is my strong tower, the strength in my weakest hour
I can trust Jesus, He takes care of me

(from “I Can Trust Jesus” by Gerald Crabb)

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“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”  – Psalm 25:5