Back to the beginning of my reading plan. A new bible open on my desk. Colored pencils at hand. Let’s a get a jump start on 2026.

Something so grounding in these initial readings. Powerful reminders that God created (Genesis 1:1), God came (Matthew 1:1), God’s coming again (Acts 1:11), and God knows (Psalm 1:6). It’s that last reminder that’s captured my mediations this morning.

The songwriter begins Psalm 1 with a promise: “Blessed is the man . . .” The one who, by God’s grace, refuses the counsel, the way, and the seat of the wicked, sinners, and scoffers. The one who, according to Peterson’s paraphrase, “thrills to GOD s Word” and “chews on Scripture day and night” (The Message). And the blessing? A life likened to a flourishing tree “planted by streams of water.”

Hmm . . . a tree, . . . flowing water, . . . sounds familiar. Like something I read in Genesis 2 this morning. A tree that bears fruit in season, endures forever, and perpetually prospers.

So, take the sovereign, creating God of Genesis 1, make Him the guarantor of the promise of Psalm 1, and hey, you’ve got something to look forward to in the new year.

But then, there’s reality. The experiences — the ups and downs — of last year which have a way of tempering the expectations for this year. A reminder that the certainty of the prize doesn’t preclude setbacks and suffering as we run the race. And while we don’t know what the setbacks and sufferings might be in ’26, we can enter a new year confident in this, the LORD knows.

. . . for the LORD knows the way of the righteous . . .

(Psalm 1:6a ESV)

The LORD knows . . . Chew on that.

Kind of 101-level propositional truth for the believer. But if it’s true — and it is — it is profound truth. It is peace giving truth. And it is propelling truth . . . 2026 here I come.

For I am “the righteous”. Not because of my works or worth, but because I am “in Christ” and His righteousness is credited to my account.

And I have a “way”. A way put in place by the sovereign, creating God of Genesis 1. A way, just as with everything God creates (Gen. 1:4, 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, 1:21, 1:25, 1:31), which works together with all things for good (Rom. 8:28). And because the LORD has charted the way (MSG), the LORD knows the way of the righteous.

The LORD knows . .

I don’t know what ’26 holds. But the LORD knows. I don’t know what blessings and what trials await. But the LORD knows. All I really know is that the LORD knows.

He knows not with just some distant, removed, disengaged awareness, but knows intimately and experientially because Jesus was “made like His brothers in every respect” (Heb. 2:17) — a “way walker” Himself — so that He would be able to sympathize with our weakness (Heb. 4:15) and ready, willing, and able to dispense all-sufficient grace “so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Cor. 12:9).

The LORD knows . . .

Not a bad thing to be reminded of heading into a new year. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.