As we step into the new year, it is a time to reflect on where we will place our trust. We may trust in many things – in our health, our plans, our resources, or in the people we love. But as Christ-followers, the one true source of hope and strength is our Lord Jesus.
For some time now, instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I have chosen a Scripture and hymn for the year.
My Scripture for this year is Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock (Isaian 26:4 ESV).
My hymn for this year is I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, a hymn that expresses our deep and unwavering dependence on Jesus Christ for salvation, guidance, strength, and grace in every part of our life. Frances R. Havergal wrote the lyrics and Ethelbert W. Bullinger composed the tune, Bullinger.
The hymn echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah, Trust in the Lord forever, and calls us to place our complete trust in Him for everything we need, in every circumstance we find ourselves.
While we look forward to the year ahead, let’s pause and reflect on the six focal areas of trusting Jesus that we see in the six stanzas of this hymn.
Trusting Jesus for Salvation
Stanza 1
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting in Thee for full salvation,
Great and free.
In this world that is filled with uncertainty, the foundation of our trust must be in the salvation that Jesus provides. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:8-9), offering us forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. This salvation is awesome because it frees us from the hold sin has on us and reconciles us to God (Hebrews 2:3). It is free because, through God’s grace, we do not have to earn it or pay the price—it is a gift, purchased by Jesus on the cross (Romans 5:15).
While the new year unfolds, we can place our trust in the unshakable truth that Jesus has secured our salvation, and with it, we face the future on earth and in eternity with hope and peace.
Trusting Jesus for Mercy
Stanza 2
I am trusting Thee for pardon;
At Thy feet I bow,
In Thy grace and tender mercy,
Trusting now.
Our trust in Jesus is not limited to salvation, it extends to ongoing forgiveness and mercy. God offers us pardon (forgiveness) because of the price Jesus paid on the cross (Micah 7:18). To receive this pardon, we must humbly bow before Him, acknowledging Him as Lord and submitting to His will (Philippians 2:10-11).
Each day, as we walk through life, we will stumble and fall. But we can trust in His mercy, knowing that He invites us to come boldly before His throne of grace to receive help in our times of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Trusting Jesus for Holiness
Stanza 3
I am trusting Thee for cleansing,
In the crimson flood;
Trusting Thee to make me holy,
By Thy blood.
Even after salvation, we are still faced with the reality of sin. Jesus is the one who cleanses us from our imperfections and sin (1 John 1:7-9). While we are called to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:16-19), we cannot make ourselves holy through our efforts alone. Only through Jesus’ cleansing blood can we be made holy and set apart for God’s purposes.
As we face the challenges of the new year, we must continually trust in His sanctifying power, knowing that He will help us live the lives He calls us to live.
Trusting Jesus for Guidance
Stanza 4
I am trusting Thee to guide me;
Thou alone shalt lead,
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.
Life is filled with decisions, and we cannot navigate it alone. The way of man is not in himself (Jeremiah 10:23), and we need Jesus to guide us. He promises to lead us to the fountains of living water (Revelation 7:17), providing everything we need as we trust in Him. Looking ahead to the year, we can rest assured that God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19) and direct us in His will.
Trusting Jesus for Power
Stanza 5
I am trusting Thee for power;
Thine can never fail;
Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me
Must prevail.
There will be moments in the new year when we feel weak or overwhelmed. But God’s power is limitless, and His strength never fails (Hebrews 1:10-12). Through His Holy Spirit working within us, we are empowered to overcome challenges and prevail in the face of adversity (Ephesians 3:20). The power to withstand and the stamina we need comes from the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16).
Trusting Jesus for Help Not to Fall
Stanza 6
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
Never let me fall;
I am trusting Thee forever,
All for all.
The Christ-following life requires perseverance. Although the road ahead may be difficult, Jesus promises to uphold us. If we trust in Him and follow His lead, we can avoid stumbling (2 Peter 1:8-10) and remain faithful until the end (Revelation 2:10). Jesus is our all in all (Colossians 3:11), and as we trust in Him, He will be our never-ending source of strength, wisdom, and help.
Trusting Jesus in the New Year
As we look toward 2025, let us echo the words of this hymn, placing our trust in Jesus for every need—salvation, mercy, holiness, guidance, power, and help. In this world that is uncertain and turbulent, trusting in Jesus is the one constant that will never fail us. The Bible encourages us, Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7 ESV).
This new year, let’s continually say to our Savior, “I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,” knowing that He is faithful, He is sufficient, and He is enough for every challenge that lies ahead.
May your year be filled with trust in His unchanging love, His power, and His grace.
Happy New Year! May God’s blessings be with you in every step of the coming year.
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