Leaving one year and entering a new one is a time of transition, a chance to begin again, with hope for better. That sense of hope is strengthened by New Year’s wishes for happiness, blessings, and prosperity.

We celebrate as we embark on our new beginning, and even make resolutions in our hope for better, for improvement in life.

We have reason to hope for change in 2016. This year, several things have threatened our sense of security, such as court and political decisions that dictate unrighteousness and moral decline, an influx of illegal immigrants, random attacks by individuals and by terrorists groups, and talk of welcoming refugees.

As candidates compete for political support, the lack of clear answers to problems is evident. Lingering questions and doubts further threaten peace for tomorrow.

However, since we celebrate Christmas just a week before the New Year, we have a fresh reminder of the source of hope.

Emmanuel (God with us) is the maker of heaven and earth (Ps. 115:15). He is our hope. Jesus is not afraid of tomorrow because He is Sovereign over all (1 Tim. 6:13-16).

Furthermore, He is with us, so we have no need to fear (Matt. 1:23). Even in a seemingly out-of-control world, He cares for His own. He will see to our needs.

We know that, so why does our hope waver and grow dim?

Jesus said, “If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matt. 6:22-23).  When our hope grows dim, we need to check our eyes.

When our eyes are turned toward Jesus, we are filled with light and hope. When we focus on the bad things in life (whether personally or culturally), we’re filled with fear, darkness, and hopelessness.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life” “Which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?” (Matt. 6:25, 27).

Watching the news sometimes steals my joy. So does listening to murmuring and complaining—whether through my own thoughts or from others. When I focus on problems, hope evaporates because I feel helpless to make—or to influence—needed changes.

But it’s not about me or what I can do.

I have a friend Who is King of kings, sovereign over all. He is faithful. He works all things together for good in His time and way. Hope rises when I look to Him, remembering His love, compassion,mercy, power, and His covenant commitment and faithfulness to keep that covenant.

If my hope is slipping, all I need to do is turn my eyes to Jesus, Emmanuel. “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope” (Ps. 130:5). Wait means to look for expectantly, to wait with expectation, to hope.

When my focus is clearly on Him—rather than on the problem or what I want Him to do—light floods my soul and hope rises as I gaze into His eyes.

The world is a mess, and it seems we are going in the wrong direction. But the answer isn’t in fixing the problems. The answer is in Jesus. Our efforts will fall short without Him.

As long as we deny God, we will face trouble. However, “the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness (covenant faithfulness)” (Ps. 33:17-18). The God Who is with us is not surprised by the state of the union, and He watches over His people.

Our challenge is to guard our eyes and keep our hope in Jesus, not on the politicians or anything or anybody else. We need to fear God and hope in Him more than we fear the things happening around us.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Help us, Lord to be faithful to look to You for our hope and salvation throughout the new year.