Stepping Into the New Year With God; Part 2

Lamentations 3:22–23 — “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

II. Releasing the Weight of the Old Year

You’ll never be able to fully embrace what God is doing next while holding tightly to what He is asking you to release.

Scripture:

• Isaiah 43:18–19 – “Forget the former things…”
• Hebrews 12:1 – Lay aside every weight and sin
• Philippians 3:13 – Forgetting what is behind

God did not intended for us to carry the weight of yesterday into tomorrow. We are told in Isaiah 43 not to dwell on former things because God is doing something new. However, even as believers we can enter the new year still bound by regret, bitterness, failure, or unresolved pain. Hebrews 12 calls these things “weights” that slow us down in our spiritual race.

There are things that we carry are things like sin that needs repentance, grief that needs healing, and others could be disappointments that must be surrendered to God. We need to try consider it the way the apostle Paul understood it when he said, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” When it says “Forgetting” it does not mean pretending the past never happened; it means refusing to let it define who we are or letting it control us.

God cannot fill hands that are already full. To receive new joy, new vision, and new strength, we must first release what no longer belongs to us. Forgiveness, of others and of ourselves, is often the doorway to freedom. As we step into the new year, we lay down the burdens of the old and trust God with what we cannot change.

Thoughts to Ponder:

• Some things from last year were seasons, not assignments
• God often requires surrender before advancement
• Forgiveness frees us to move forward

Application:

• Release regret, bitterness, failure, and fear
• Invite God to heal unresolved wounds

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Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, as I enter into this new year, I thank You that Your mercies are new every morning and that great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22–23). You go before us and You are with me; You will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Nothing in the year ahead is hidden from You. Lord, I commit this year to You, I am trusting You with all my heart and leaning not on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5–6). I acknowledge that all of my plans are subject to Your will, and I say with humility, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). Order my steps according to Your Word (Psalm 119:133).

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Transform me by the renewing of my mind, so that I may discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect in Your will (Romans 12:2). Let Your Word be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path in every decision I face (Psalm 119:105).

We ask for Your peace to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Heal the brokenhearted and bind up my wounds (Psalm 147:3). Teach me to forgive as I have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13), and to walk in love, just as Christ loved (Ephesians 5:2).

Prepare me for every season this year brings. When trials come, help me to count it joy, knowing You are producing endurance in me (James 1:2–4). When blessings come, keep me humble and thankful, remembering that every good and perfect gift comes from You (James 1:17).

I will seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, trusting that what I need will be provided (Matthew 6:33). I dedicate this year to You, asking that my life will bring You glory in all that I do (1 Corinthians 10:31).

I pray this with confidence in the name of Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). In Jesus Name Amen.

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