“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
Psalm 34:8
by Sue Wayman
So, New Year is here once again. Happy New Year!
Have you made any New Year resolutions? Are there things planned for this year that you are looking forward to? New Year can be such an exciting time.
For some, however, the beginning of 2026 might be very difficult. Not everyone would have had a happy time over the festive season. We may have had to say goodbye to a dear family member or friend. We may be facing financial difficulty. The reality is that we do not know what 2026 holds for us. In December we talked about drawing close to God by experiencing Him for ourselves (tasting and seeing that the Lord is good). Let’s now look at the second half of this verse from Psalm 34 “Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
Did you know that whatever you face in 2026 you can be sure that you need not face it alone? God sent us the Holy Spirit, who is also known as the Comforter, and He will help us if we ask Him.
When my younger brother died suddenly 30 years ago I was devastated. Our first baby was less than a month old. I cried solidly for 2 days and 2 nights. I desperately needed to hear from the Lord. He put a verse from Psalm 23 on my heart: My brother’s death had cast a shadow, but I held onto this verse, believing that God was with me, and would comfort me…and that is what happened. I still grieved, but at the same time I felt God’s presence with me in spite of all that was happening around me. I was indeed blessed.
When the Bible talks about being blessed it means having “a spiritual state of well-being and prosperity – a deep, joy-filled contentment that cannot be shaken by poverty, grief, famine, persecution, war, or any other trial or tragedy we face in life.” retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.gotquestions.org/mean-to-be-blessed.html.
So, if you do have troubles to face in 2026, please remember that you do not have to face them alone. You can call upon the Lord and take refuge in Him. God may not alter your circumstances, but He will sit with you in your darkest days and nights. Of that you can be sure.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4