As we step into a new year, many of us are looking for a new beginning, a fresh start, and somehow trying to do things differently than in year’s past.

Over the years, I have cycled through the different ways to focus my mind and heart for the coming year.  

There were the new year’s resolutions, word of the year, no resolutions at all, read through the Bible, change all my bad habits, change only one habit, and on, and on.  

I’ll be honest, it feels like I have tried them all.  Resolutions have come and gone, and often things have not changed.

What if this year, my resolution is just to walk daily with God and strive to hear His voice in my life and obey what He asks me to do?

Psalms 37:23 says “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord…”

Our Pastor recently told us that she has been in a season where it seems that her steps have been so ordered that every interaction she has appears to be a divine appointment.

Can you imagine how different our year could be if we walked it out with divine purpose?  What if we heard the voice of God, obeyed it, and allowed God to put us exactly where we needed to be?  What if our divine appointment allowed us to provide hope and encouragement for someone in our path?

Our Pastor reminded us recently that the people of the Bible often heard the voice of God when they were in a desperate place, often alone and separated from others.

Cain heard God after he had killed his brother Abel.

Abram heard God tell him to leave his family of origin and the place he was familiar with, to go to the place God is leading.

Jacob heard from God through a dream when he was running to escape his brother’s wrath.

Samuel first heard from God when he was a child in the temple, alone in his room.

Elijah heard from God when he was running away from Jezebel, fearing his life.

But can we really hear God in our lives today?  I believe the answer is a resounding YES!

Psalms 138:6 says “Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.”

One way to have God near and hear his voice is to resist being filled with pride.  Resist the idea that we don’t need God or others and that we can do it on our own.  A posture of humility is one that pleases the Lord.  

Another way is to create space where we can hear God be alone with God and distance ourselves from the noise of the world.  That means setting aside time and space in which we can read God’s word, worship, and pray.  

I pray that for you and for me, that this is the year that we hear His voice daily and fulfill the divine appointments He has prepared for us in 2023.