13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Today’s scripture is a plea for mercy and favor to our God. It feels especially fitting as a passage to meditate on as we step into 2026.

We begin by acknowledging that our God is almighty.

He allows both good days and difficult days into our lives—not because He does not love us, but because it is often through troubling seasons that we grow closer to Him, learning to rely on Him more deeply. This passage also reminds me that every morning we need to seek God’s unfailing love and be grateful for the day He has given us.

We then ask God for favor—to establish the work of our hands. Whatever work God imprints on our hearts, we pray that He will lead us and bring fruit to our efforts.

I dedicated the first waking hours of 2026 to God.

Last night, I went to church for watchnight service. We had Holy Communion and our yearly covenant renewal. In past years, the service often rushed to complete Communion as we crossed into the new year. This year was different. Everything was completed ahead of time, giving us space to quiet ourselves and draw near to God before stepping into the new year.

That meant a lot to me.

The sermon was about fighting the good fight, drawn from 1 Timothy 6:11–16. Paul urges us to fight the good fight of faith, to keep God’s commands, and to bring honor to Him forever.

Challenges will appear as we strive to live faithfully. We are called to resist the values of this world that run contrary to God’s truth. Fighting the good fight is about loyalty to our King—living as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

The pastor shared four ways to help us fight well.

To fight well, we must learn to flee fast.
He who flees will fight again.

We need to intentionally walk away from temptation. By God’s grace, we can run from our earthly desires.

But fleeing is not enough—we must also pursue.

We pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This requires intentional discipleship.

• Pursue the things of God

• Rely on the Holy Spirit to produce discipline in us

• Do good works through prayer and fellowship

The good fight is not one battle—it is a campaign.

There will be countless attacks. At times it becomes spiritually exhausting, and we may feel like giving up. But we must remind ourselves that the fight is worth it.

Paul tells us to take hold of eternal life. Eternal life does not begin after death—it begins now. Our relationship with God is both a present reality and a future reward. It is in this relationship that we discover the goodness of the fight.

The success of the fight is not determined by circumstances, but by the perseverance of our faith.

Read that again.

We may win. We may appear to lose. But what looks like loss to us may look very different to God. He looks not at outcomes, but at perseverance.

In fear and uncertainty, we look to Jesus—who fought the good fight and finished the race. He sets the example for us.

Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
He has already done it. His grace is sufficient.

We keep God’s commands knowing that Christ will be revealed again.

The only ruler.
The King of kings and Lord of lords.
The immortal One, dwelling in unapproachable light.

We fight for an almighty God. We can fight the good fight because God has asked us to—and because Jesus has already shown us the way. The fight is not sustained by our strength, but by His grace and hope.

How was the fight of faith for you in 2025?
How will it be as you enter 2026?

For me, 2025 was a hard battle. I ran from God for a long time. But I am grateful that I eventually obeyed what the Lord asked of me. He asked for complete surrender, and while it took time, I am thankful I finally gave it.

I enter 2026 in a spirit of surrender.

I will be water fasting until Sunday and will break the fast with Holy Communion, dedicating the first days of the year to God. During my 47-minute meditation sit today, I also set the intention to make today an absolute fast, at least until sundown.

In the past, I fasted mainly for physical benefits. This year, I fast to draw closer to my God.

May it usher in a wonderful 2026.

In all things, I give You all the glory, Lord.

13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Today’s scripture is a plea for mercy and favor to our God. It feels especially fitting as a passage to meditate on as we step into 2026.

We begin by acknowledging that our God is almighty.

He allows both good days and difficult days into our lives—not because He does not love us, but because it is often through troubling seasons that we grow closer to Him, learning to rely on Him more deeply. This passage also reminds me that every morning we need to seek God’s unfailing love and be grateful for the day He has given us.

We then ask God for favor—to establish the work of our hands. Whatever work God imprints on our hearts, we pray that He will lead us and bring fruit to our efforts.

I dedicated the first waking hours of 2026 to God.

Last night, I went to church for watchnight service. We had Holy Communion and our yearly covenant renewal. In past years, the service often rushed to complete Communion as we crossed into the new year. This year was different. Everything was completed ahead of time, giving us space to quiet ourselves and draw near to God before stepping into the new year.

That meant a lot to me.

The sermon was about fighting the good fight, drawn from 1 Timothy 6:11–16. Paul urges us to fight the good fight of faith, to keep God’s commands, and to bring honor to Him forever.

Challenges will appear as we strive to live faithfully. We are called to resist the values of this world that run contrary to God’s truth. Fighting the good fight is about loyalty to our King—living as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

The pastor shared four ways to help us fight well.

To fight well, we must learn to flee fast.
He who flees will fight again.

We need to intentionally walk away from temptation. By God’s grace, we can run from our earthly desires.

But fleeing is not enough—we must also pursue.

We pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This requires intentional discipleship.

• Pursue the things of God

• Rely on the Holy Spirit to produce discipline in us

• Do good works through prayer and fellowship

The good fight is not one battle—it is a campaign.

There will be countless attacks. At times it becomes spiritually exhausting, and we may feel like giving up. But we must remind ourselves that the fight is worth it.

Paul tells us to take hold of eternal life. Eternal life does not begin after death—it begins now. Our relationship with God is both a present reality and a future reward. It is in this relationship that we discover the goodness of the fight.

The success of the fight is not determined by circumstances, but by the perseverance of our faith.

Read that again.

We may win. We may appear to lose. But what looks like loss to us may look very different to God. He looks not at outcomes, but at perseverance.

In fear and uncertainty, we look to Jesus—who fought the good fight and finished the race. He sets the example for us.

Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
He has already done it. His grace is sufficient.

We keep God’s commands knowing that Christ will be revealed again.

The only ruler.
The King of kings and Lord of lords.
The immortal One, dwelling in unapproachable light.

We fight for an almighty God. We can fight the good fight because God has asked us to—and because Jesus has already shown us the way. The fight is not sustained by our strength, but by His grace and hope.

How was the fight of faith for you in 2025?
How will it be as you enter 2026?

For me, 2025 was a hard battle. I ran from God for a long time. But I am grateful that I eventually obeyed what the Lord asked of me. He asked for complete surrender, and while it took time, I am thankful I finally gave it.

I enter 2026 in a spirit of surrender.

I will be water fasting until Sunday and will break the fast with Holy Communion, dedicating the first days of the year to God. During my 47-minute meditation sit today, I also set the intention to make today an absolute fast, at least until sundown.

In the past, I fasted mainly for physical benefits. This year, I fast to draw closer to my God.

May it usher in a wonderful 2026.

In all things, I give You all the glory, Lord.