Loving Heavenly Father, I’m beginning this new year longing for the day when these prophetic words find their ultimate fulfilment. I am so thankful for the forty-three years in which I’ve experienced Your kindness to me as a follower of Jesus, yet still to my shame my heart is constantly enticed by man-made idols. Why do I continue to put my hope in that which has only ever brought disappointment?

Thank You that Jesus is the Saviour I need. He lived and died with His heart and mind wholly delighting in You. He could truly say that to do Your will was His meat and drink. Thank You that in Him I have all the righteousness I need to be Your beloved child.

And now I pray that this may be a year of growing into that righteousness in terms of my character. I feel like a small child hoping to grow into clothing that is way too big for me. But I praise you that I don’t have to be anxious about whether I’ll ever get there. You’ve promised to bring to completion the good work You’ve begun in me, and the finished work of Jesus on my behalf guarantees it.

I don’t know when You’ll send our Lord Jesus back to this broken world – will this be the year? But I do know that when He returns, He’ll make all things new. On that day, no idol will even tempt me. Hallelujah! And all the praise for this salvation will belong to You.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Christ’s sacrifice for our sins was finished in His death on the cross. But His ministry did not cease then, or when He rose from the grave, or even when He ascended to the right hand of the Father. No, Jesus’ ministry continues even now. He is present with His Father on our behalf. He is interceding for us.

What a relief it is to know this when you have made a mess of life, when you feel the accusations of Satan and condemn yourself. You are ashamed to go into the presence of God. You go to church and look around, thinking you are a hypocrite. You feel a failure – indeed, you have failed. Remember, then, that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. Remember that He is there for your sake. He died for you once; He intercedes for you forever.

Sinclair Ferguson, “By Grace Alone”