Ignite Hope Through Praise

The dawn of a new year always ignites hope. As we give thanks for God's faithfulness in all that has passed, we look ahead with expectation, trusting that the year to come will overflow with His blessings.

Moments of Timeless Praise

The Apostle Paul prayed constantly and earnestly for the churches he established—always giving thanks and interceding for their spiritual growth. His prayer for the Ephesians concludes with a doxology, a hymn of praise (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Scripture contains many such doxologies—moments when praise erupts at the end of prayers, psalms, or teachings (Deuteronomy 32:3-4; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Daniel 2:20; Luke 2:14; Luke 19:38; Romans 11:33-36; Jude 1:24-25; 1 Timothy 6:15-16).

The Book of Psalms is divided into five sections, each ending with a short doxology, and the final psalm itself is an anthem of pure praise (Psalm 41:13, Psalm 72:18-19, Psalm 89:52, Psalm 106:48, Psalm 150).

It has been said that the Psalms are theology set to music. They trace the journey from lament to praise, with doxologies concluding the journey. These moments of timeless praise summarise the preceding themes and direct all glory to God.

Faith does not ignore pain—it brings it before God, trusting Him to act, moving us from despair to hope and into worship.

Doxologies encourage the heart to worship and stand as powerful declarations of faith, reminding us of God's sovereignty, goodness, and majesty.

So it is fitting that at the close of a year—with all its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, our journey should also conclude with praise. Looking back at the year just passed, we praise God for who He is and what He has done. And in doing this, we not only declare our faith but also ignite hope for what He is yet to do—for what is yet to be accomplished.

Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. - Psalm 150:1-2

Grow in Grace & Knowledge

Biblical doxologies are not only declarations of God's character but also reminders of our relationship with Him. Usually the apostolic letters end with personal remarks or greetings, but Peter ends his second epistle with a doxology.

Near the end of his life, Peter is writing to churches he is not likely to see or address again. In his last letter, he encourages believers to grow in their faith—to be more fruitful and Christlike. His letter both begins and ends with grace and knowledge. The word he uses for knowledge here implies 'a fuller, riper, more minute, and complete knowledge of God—loving as well as knowing Him.' This 'full knowledge' is not merely intellectual but relational and transformative. It is essential for a deeper understanding of God and of Jesus, essential for experiencing the fullness of grace and peace (2 Peter 1:2), necessary for growing in godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and a safeguard against false teachings.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. - 2 Peter 3:18

These are the last recorded words of an old man, written as his legacy to us. He himself was a striking example of his own exhortation. It took a lifetime for Simon, the son of Jonas, to grow into Peter—but it was done. And now he both commands and commends to us... to climb and aspire.

Jesus Christ is the Giver and Author of grace, and He is the Object of this knowledge. There is nothing mystical in Peter's exhortation, but something very plain and practical: a daily transformation, growing in completeness into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The knowledge of a person is not the same as the knowledge of a creed or of a thought or of a book. - Maclaren's Expositions

The knowledge of God is the sphere in which grace and peace are communicated to the soul (2 Peter 1:2); they cannot be found outside that sphere. This is knowledge not of mere intellectual apprehension, but of deep contemplation—the knowledge that implies love. - Pulpit Commentary

Ignite Hope Through Praise

The end of a year is often a time for setting new resolutions and fresh goals—for making changes or breaking old habits—steps that, hopefully, lead to intentional personal growth, rooted in a deeper purpose.

When applied to our spiritual lives, these New Year resolutions may well be necessary. God has made all things possible for us, but they are not yet done. We must strive to grow; we must make every effort to increase in the knowledge of God and in the qualities He expects of us (2 Peter 1:5-11). This requires intentional effort and purposeful goals.

But there is hope. Doxologies also remind us that not all depends on us. And praise be to God that not all depends on us! God's limitless power is always at work in us, through us and for us.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen - Hebrews 13:20-21

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians ends with the request that they may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). There can be nothing above or beyond this wonderful request. It almost seems a paradoxical impossibility that the fullness of God could dwell within imperfect, sinful people.

And yet, this becomes a possibility when instead of looking within, we look above. The literal meaning is to be 'filled unto'—implying a process, a growing process that will culminate in eternity when we will be complete in holiness, have perfection of knowledge, fullness of joy and peace, and live in everlasting communion with Christ, and the Father.

In the new year, may we strive to increase in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, and ignite hope in our hearts through praise.

God is able and willing, and will do far more than we expect or think, or even ask.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen - Ephesians 3:20-21