EXPOSITION:

The beginning of each year comes with different reactions from different people. For some, there are high expectations and big dreams to look forward to. Others may be filled with fears and uncertainties whilst some may also be indifferent and see each year as being the same. The truth, however, is that none of us know what the year really holds for us, but the good news is that we can bank our hopes on the promises of God for our lives.

God has promised to make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert for His people. This promise came to the Jews at a time when they were in exile in Babylon and it sounded almost impossible for them to be delivered from the hands of the super-power of the then known world. He did not only promise them a return home through the wilderness but also a provision (rivers, not a river) in the desert so that their journey could be stress-free.

KEY VERSE:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

LESSON/LIFE APPLICATION:

The Bible declares that “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [God’s] ways higher than [our] ways and [His] thoughts than [our] thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9; NIV). It is therefore a great privilege to lean on God. When we lean on our own understanding, we can only produce results that ordinary people produce. Extra-ordinary results are produced by those who are totally dependent on God.

Because His thoughts and ways are far higher than ours, we may not understand Him sometimes, but total faith in Him will make us cling to Him even when the way ahead is uncertain or bleak.