INTRODUCTION
“This month shall be unto you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Exodus 12:2).
As we prepare to celebrate the New Year, we thank God for preserving our lives. Crossing into a new year means leaving the old behind and stepping into the future. Like the crossing of the Red Sea and the Jordan River, this transition reminds us of God’s mercy in delivering us from past bondage and His grace in leading us through the uncertainties ahead.
1.CROSSING OVER: GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOU
Brethren, in the past year we may have faced many trials and challenges that chilled our faith, stirred fear, caused doubt in God’s power, and weakened our hope. In our struggles, we may have cried out or murmured as we tried to fix things by our own strength. This was how the children of Israel felt at both the Red Sea and the Jordan crossings.
God’s purpose for us as we cross into the New Year is no different. At the Red Sea, Israel feared Pharaoh’s pursuing army; at the Jordan, they faced the uncertainty ahead. Yet through both crossings, God delivered them from their enemies and led them into the land He had promised.
Because every “crossing over” is God’s purpose, He is always in control and goes ahead of us. He uses these moments to conquer our fears, defeat the enemy, test and strengthen our faith, and ultimately bring glory to His name. At the Red Sea, Scripture says, “The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud…and by night in a pillar of fire” (Exodus 13:21–22). At the Jordan, God commanded, “Arise, go over this Jordan…to the land which I give to the children of Israel.”
So, whether the past year was bright or dark, joyful or painful, and whatever uncertainties lie ahead, know that God was, and still is present. He has gone before you into the new year and will surely remove every obstacle in your path.
2.FEAR NOT AT THE CROSSING
God knows it is natural for us to fear our enemies or feel anxious about leaving the familiar for the unknown. So at the Jordan, He encouraged His people, saying, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). At the Red Sea, when Israel felt helpless before their pursuing enemies, Moses declared, “Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD… The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14).
Brethren, God has not given us the “spirit of fear”. Therefore, whatever your predicament, in the past year, “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart. (2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 31:24).
3.VICTORY AT THE CROSSING: AN ACT OF FAITH
A New Year crossing, like the Red Sea and the Jordan, brings victory when we move forward in faith. At every crossing, God calls His people to trust His power and act in faith before the victory is seen. At the Red Sea, the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” As Moses stretched out his rod, the waters parted and Israel crossed on dry ground (Exodus 14:15, 21–22). When the Egyptians pursued, Moses stretched out his hand again, the waters returned, and the enemy was destroyed. Then Israel saw the mighty work of the Lord, feared Him, and believed in the Lord and His servant Moses (Exodus 14:23–30).
At the Jordan crossing, Joshua said, “Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth goes before you into the Jordan.” The ark symbolized God’s presence among His people, assuring them that the living God was with them and would surely drive out the nations before them. When the priests carrying the ark stepped into the Jordan, the waters stopped, and the people crossed over opposite Jericho (Joshua 3:10–16).
When the kings of the land heard that Israel had crossed over, their hearts melted and their courage failed because of the children of Israel In the same way, as you cross into the New Year, the fear of the Lord will fall upon every adversary and enemy. (Joshua 5:1).
3.1. CROSSING OVER THROUGH FAITH
Brethren, every victorious crossing requires faith. God did not tell Moses in advance how He would part the sea, yet the same path that brought Israel deliverance became the way their enemies were defeated. Likewise, the power of God’s presence that stopped the Jordan for Israel to cross was the same power that drove out their enemies so they could inherit the land.
Therefore, our faith must rest in this assurance: the same God who has brought us into this new year will enable us to overcome every obstacle and inherit His promised blessings. Even Jesus urged His disciples to have faith as they crossed the lake in the midst of a storm (Luke 8:22–25).
God allows trying situations because He can use them to defeat the enemy, overcome our fears, strengthen our faith, and ultimately bring glory to His name.
4.DIVINE SEPARATION AT THE CROSSING
At the Jordan, when the waters parted, those flowing from above stood in a heap “far from the city of Adam,” while the waters flowing toward the Salt Sea were cut off (Joshua 3:11–16). In the same way, crossing into a new year brings a divine separation beyond our control, moving us forward while leaving the old behind. This separation “far from Adam” symbolizes the call to put away human weakness and pursue a more godly life in the year ahead.
Brethren, at the Red Sea, God strengthened our faith in His power so we would no longer fear anyone or anything. At the Jordan, He called us to trust that same power at work within us through Christ, enabling us to possess the dominion and freedom He has secured for us. Our past experiences should sharpen our reliance, not on our own strength, like Moses’ rod, but on faith in what Christ, our High Priest, accomplished on the cross, empowering us to reclaim what is rightfully ours.
PRAYER:
Almighty Father, we thank You for Your Word and the gift of life as we cross into the new year. Thank You for sustaining us through trials and guiding us with Your grace. As we step into Your promises, separate us from the lusts that held us captive, help us forgive those who wronged us, and spread a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Strengthen our faith to trust that You will perfect all things in this new year.
I pray this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
*Wishing you, your loved ones, and family a blessed crossing and a joyful New Year!*
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 1 January 2026
