Daily Devotionals
Monday, January 6, 2025 (Mary Ann)
Change
I like the familiar in my life and I’m comfortable with my routines. Safe is another way of putting it.
But with a whole new year ahead of us, it’s natural to think about change. Can our world get more chaotic? What’s next? Can I handle illness or financial setbacks or broken relationships? What then? Can I do anything to make 2025 better, safer or more secure than 2024 for me and my family?
Some changes ahead will make our lives better, so 2025 may actually turn out better. Still, other changes will challenge us to our core. Some changes will make us sing for joy. Others may just shatter our hearts. Some changes can be intentional or at least planned for. Others will come as a shock. (Trust me on that; I accidentally looked in the mirror this morning!)
Bottom line, though, changes are inevitable. And some of them will make us feel a bit lost, alone and likely scared. So Sisters, what to do? We long for stability, for something secure and strong to hang on to. We need a place to find hope.
Rock of Ages
Maybe that’s why a song writer of decades past wrote, “On Christ, the solid rock I stand; all other ground is shifting sand.”
That Christ — our Lord — is the only unchangeable thing in our lives. Malachi 3:6 says, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”
There is no inconsistency, no change in him. He always has been, and will always be the God who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” Psalm 145:8-9
Because God never changes, this means his promises are rock-solid and forever true:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
And:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Reason for HOPE, come what may
We all know that changes will keep on coming. So ready up for 2025, dear Sisters, for come what may. Our Heavenly Father — our unchanging Rock — has told us to not fear but instead to trust the One who loves us most and forever. He is our hope.
Mary Ann
