Many people look forward to 2021 as the end game to their fears and tribulations. But those same people also look forward to 2021 with trepidation because there is still a "scary" virus, there is still unrest, there is still uncertainty, there are numerous and somewhat never ending fearful circumstances awaiting the mere change of a day.
There will be celebrations in some places but not as plentiful or as noteworthy as in the past. Why? FEAR. Instead of challenging the claims which have waffled like a broken-down mattress, most people have complied with some governor-issued demands that keep perpetuating fearfulness with compromised statistics, outright lies, and actual threats to those trying to save their businesses, families' well-being, and the state of the Union.
Without the defeat of the spirits of fear, deception, and lying spirits, 2021 has little to offer in the way of differences from the majority of 2020. That's a fact.
So as the hours, minutes, and seconds are counted down to the erasure of 2020, what will people do? What will they decide? Will they embrace bravery and boldness? Will they cower mostly in their homes and/or continue to comply with unrealistic and ineffective mandates by some who wish to wield power and demand obedience to their mandates? Strange questions to be asked and answered approaching a new year.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (English Standard Version)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (Berean Study Bible)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. (Berean Literal Bible)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-control. (NIV)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
2 Timothy 1:7
Thank you, God Almighty, for ushering in a new year. We honor you, we long to trust you more, we're desperate for you, and we always want to have your Spirit guiding us, reassuring us, and providing the hope and courage we're determined to own and demonstrate as your people. We ask that you destroy the efforts of the spirits of deception, continue to expose the evil in our midst, and bring more of the lost to reach out to Jesus for their salvation and redemption. We ask it all in the power of the Name of Jesus, Amen.