CURRENT THEME: New hope for 2013 (If you want to read about specific themes in this series, send me an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

DAY 1: NEW HOPE FOR 2013...

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

I recently read an article about a research study done on Jewish Holocaust survivors. The aim of the study was to determine if there were any common factors amongst the group of survivors, as so many people died in the camps. The interesting finding: All the people who survived had hope. Sometimes in the form of a way to escape, other times in the knowledge that a loved one was still alive and that they might be able to reconcile. The moment the people in the concentration camps lost hope, they died.

With hope we can scale the highest mountain, face the most challenging situations head-on and continue to move forward even if it feels as if our last breath is wrenched from our bodies. When we lose hope, our lives fall apart.

What kind of year was 2012 for you? A year filled with highlights in the form of an engagement, a wedding, a new baby in the family or a breakthrough you have been waiting for, for a long time? Or was 2012 perhaps a year you would rather forget as quickly as possible since a loved one died, you went through a divorce, you received bad news or maybe you had to spent Christmas alone?

When looking back at the previous year, we are reminded of times where God gave us a supernatural breakthrough when it seemed impossible, but also we will be reminded of His presence amidst the most difficult moments. It creates an opportunity to thank God, but also it gives us hope to walk towards the new year without any fear.

My wish for you for 2013 comes from Romans 12:12: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” And also Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Let us find our hope in God in every situation and let’s walk therefore towards 2013 with an expectant heart of what God can accomplish in and through our lives in this year. You never know, 2013 might just be your best year so far! God bless.

Father God, thank You for being close to me amidst every sadness, disappointment and pain from my past. Help me to find my hope in You this year. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

** Benescke Janse van Rensburg is a freelance journalist and author of the books, Ontdek God in die stories van mense, Wysheid-oordenkings uit Spreuke and Hoop in tye van nood-oordenkings uit Psalms.