#BoldBeliefDevotional by Paul Natekin
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
As the calendar flips to 2025, the air is thick with the scent of new beginnings. There’s something about a fresh start that stirs our souls, isn’t there? But often, we set resolutions based on what we think we should do or be, rather than what God has in store for us. Have you ever wondered if your resolutions are in line with God’s plan for your life? Let’s explore together how to let God set your New Year’s resolution.
Apologetic Insight:
(from Greek ἀπολογία, apología, ‘speaking in defense’) Defending and explaining faith with reason and evidence.
The idea of God setting our resolutions might seem a bit odd or even unsettling at first. Why should we give up our autonomy in deciding our own goals? Here’s where the insights from J. Warner Wallace can help us understand:
J. Warner Wallace, a cold-case detective turned Christian apologist, writes in his book “Cold-Case Christianity” about the reliability of God’s promises. He explains, “God’s promises are like the testimony of a reliable witness in a courtroom. They stand up under scrutiny.” When we align our resolutions with God’s will, we’re essentially trusting in His reliable promise for our good.
This connects back to our key verse from Proverbs. Trusting in the Lord with all our heart means submitting our plans, our understanding, and our resolutions to Him. Wallace’s work encourages us to examine the evidence of God’s faithfulness throughout the Bible and history, giving us confidence to trust God’s plan over our own.
Encouragement & Application:
Your doubts about letting God set your resolutions might feel like a sign of weak faith, but they’re actually an opportunity to deepen your trust in Him. Here are some practical steps to help you align your New Year with God’s purposes:
- Pray for Direction: Start your day, or even better, your year, with prayer. Ask God what He wants for you in 2025. Listen quietly for His voice through Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Seek Wisdom: Read the Bible, not just for the sake of reading, but to understand God’s heart for you. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
- Community: Find a mentor or a community of believers. Discussing your doubts and resolutions with others can provide support and accountability as you seek God’s will.
Reflection Questions:
- How does the idea of God setting your resolution make you feel? Excited, nervous, or something else?
- What are some areas in your life where you feel God might be calling you to grow or change?
- What steps can you take to ensure your resolutions are in line with God’s plan?
Prayer:
Lord, as 2025 dawns, I come to You with an open heart, ready to hear Your voice. Help me to set aside my own plans and to seek Yours. Guide me in my resolutions, that they may reflect Your love, Your will, and Your purpose for my life. Grant me the wisdom to discern Your voice, the courage to follow where You lead, and the peace to trust in Your plan, knowing that Your ways are higher than mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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