Bible Verses and Scriptures for the New Year

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The New Year means a lot of different things to different people, and there are a number of New Year's Bible verses that can help us navigate our way into a new 365-day cycle. Whether we're looking to put the past behind us, learn to keep our feet planted on the ground in today, or looking for guidance as we move into new times in our lives, the Bible has a lot of New Year's guidance.

Moving Out of the Past

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot…" is the first line to the famous Auld Lang Syne. It epitomizes putting the past behind us in the New Year, but it's also about putting some things behind us.

At the end of each year, we spend some time in reflecting going over the things we want to leave in the past and those we'd like to hold onto as we head into the future. These New Year's Bible verses also help us focus on moving forward and starting fresh:

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (NIV)
Galatians 2:20 - My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (NLT)
Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Learning to Live in the Present

As teens, we spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about our futures. We plan for college, look at future jobs. We wonder what it will be like to live on our own, fantasize about getting married or having a family.

Yet, we often forget in all that planning that we are living in the present. It's easy at the end of each year to get caught up in reflection or in plotting out our future. These New Year's Bible verses remind us that we also have to live in the present:

Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
Philippians 4:6 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)
Isaiah 41:10 - Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (NLT)

Let God Guide Your Future

One thing the New Year does is make us think about our future. Most of the time, celebrating the New Year at least makes us think about our plans for the next 365 days. However, we cannot forget whose hand needs to be in our future plans. We may not always understand the plans God has for us, but these New Year's scripture verses remind us:

Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)
Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)
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Mahoney, Kelli. "Bible Verses and Scriptures for the New Year." Learn Religions, Aug. 25, 2020, learnreligions.com/new-years-bible-verses-712329. Mahoney, Kelli. (2020, August 25). Bible Verses and Scriptures for the New Year. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/new-years-bible-verses-712329 Mahoney, Kelli. "Bible Verses and Scriptures for the New Year." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/new-years-bible-verses-712329 (accessed March 28, 2024).