In the past, when we have talked about ‘this year’ things have been quite neutral. We might laugh about how we are still writing last year’s date even though it’s already February, wonder where the year has gone in August, and look forward to a fresh start by November.
But the way in which people spoke about 2020 was almost as if it had a personality – and a bad one at that. So, we wanted to see the back of it. Bring on 2021! Netflix even made a show called Death to 2020.
But as 2021 begins, it seems like things in the world have not changed that much. Where at this time of year we might normally think about how to improve our lives with vague plans and hasty resolutions, everything is a bit hazier. Our hopes for 2021 being a fresh start have largely evaporated.
But where is solid hope? Where 2021 fails, Psalm 121 guides us. The Lord God is our hope.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121)
– Sam Pursell