TRUST IN THE LORD: A NEW YEAR'S INVITATION

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."

• Psalm 37:3–5

Dearly beloved in Christ,

A very warm and happy New Year to you in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

As we step into a brand-new year—a year filled with unknown paths, fresh hopes, and unseen challenges—my heart is drawn to the timeless wisdom of Psalm 37:3–5. These verses are not merely comforting sayings; they are God’s roadmap for a blessed and anchored life amid uncertainty.

In a world that constantly urges us to take control, make plans, chase success, and secure our own future, the psalmist gently reminds us of something deeper, steadier, and far more dependable: "Trust in the Lord... delight in the Lord... commit your way to the Lord."

This is the posture of a life rooted in God.

Trusting God in the Unknown "Trust in the Lord and do good."

As we enter this new year, we may be carrying lofty expectations and some anxieties. Some of us look ahead with joy; others, with questions and fears. But the Word of God invites us to place our confidence not in circumstances, not in our own strength, but in the unwavering character of God.

To trust is to lean on Him with our entire weight—to commit our bodies, souls, and spirits into His embrace. It is to believe, affirm, and confess that He is good, He is present, and He is at work even when we cannot see it. And while we trust, we also "do good" by continuing in faithfulness, obedience, and service. Trust is not passive; it shapes how we live each day.

Delighting in the Lord "Take delight in the Lord..."

Delighting in God means finding our deepest joy, satisfaction, and identity in Him. The Word reminds us that our fulfillment is not in our achievements, possessions, or human praise, but in treasuring His presence, His Word, and His will.

When the Lord becomes our delight, our desires are transformed. Our prayers shift from "Lord, give me what I want" to "Lord, shape my wants to match Your heart." And in that alignment, God joyfully fulfils the righteous desires He Himself plants within us.

Committing Our Way to Him "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."

To commit our way means to cast all our plans, fears, burdens, and decisions onto the Lord. It is a conscious placing of the entire coming year—its blessings and its battles—into His sovereign hands. When we do this, Scripture gives us a glorious promise: "He will act."

God Himself will move. He will guide your steps, open the right doors, close the harmful ones, protect your path, and perfect His purposes for your life. As the psalmist says in Ps. 55:22, "Cast your burden upon the LORD and he will sustain you."

A New Year, A Renewed Heart

Beloved, we do not step into this year alone. The God who carried us thus far goes ahead of us. He invites us not merely to make New Year’s resolutions, but to rest in His faithfulness. Not merely to plan, but to place those plans at His feet. Not merely to hope for blessing, but to delight in the One who blesses.

May this New Year be a year where Christ becomes your anchor, your delight, and your guide.

May your home be filled with prayer, your heart with trust, and your steps with the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Wishing you and your family a blessed, joyful, and Christ-centered New Year.

In Christ's Love,

Rev. Shaimon Elias Vicar, Madras Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Chetpet

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6