The Second Day of the New Year

The second day of a new year has a quiet weight to it. The excitement of midnight has settled, the calendars are still mostly blank, and here we are, waking up to a day whose details we don’t yet know. There’s something both unsettling and sacred about that. We step into the morning not knowing what conversations we’ll have, what news we’ll receive, or what unexpected turns might come our way. And when we zoom out beyond today and think about the entire year ahead, that feeling deepens. We can plan, prepare, and pencil things neatly into our calendars, but the truth remains: we don’t really know how it’s all going to unfold.

Scripture reminds us that this uncertainty isn’t something to fear, it’s something to surrender. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). We do our part by being faithful with what’s in front of us, but God is the One who sees the whole picture. Even when the path ahead feels unclear, we can rest in the promise that He is already there. The unknown doesn’t catch Him off guard, and the details we can’t foresee are held securely in His hands.

That’s where trust becomes more than a concept, it becomes a daily choice. Choosing to trust God means believing that, no matter how the year unfolds, He will work within it for our good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). As we step into this new year, may we loosen our grip on outcomes and strengthen our grip on faith, confident that the One who walks with us today will faithfully carry us through every tomorrow.

Lord, thank You for the gift of a new year and for this day set before me. I confess that I don’t know what lies ahead, but I choose to trust You with every unknown. Help me to walk by faith, not fear, and to rest in the assurance that You are working all things together for good. Guide my steps, calm my heart, and remind me daily that You are in control. Amen.

Everyday devotionals ©️ Bonnie Annis