By Larry Young

We have just crossed over into the new year 2026. Are you looking forward to all the great possibilities for this new year, or have you already started dreading it? I’ve got some really great news for you!! God already knows every detail of what will happen this new year. For Him, it’s all in the rear-view mirror, and He has already given us an ample summary of where things are going, what to expect, and how to prepare, for this year and any remaining time going forward.

From a media perspective, our world is engulfed in conflicts and wars between greedy powerful people and entrenched religious ideologies, trying desperately to obtain total power and control of all nations by any and all means possible. Sadly, the vast majority of the media itself is just an arm of the world’s many propaganda machines. Truth is quickly becoming more and more difficult to find and to understand. 

From God’s perspective, He has clearly forewarned us that this world is on a destructive collision course with itself, but He reassures us that His love for us will triumph. As Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

Jesus assures believers of His protection in 2026 if we huddle like baby chicks under His wings: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23: 37)

Certain verses written by Ezekiel and Paul also keep popping up in my mind as I watch TV news, especially when politicians say they are obtaining peace and safety for us, or ads that say they are selling us financial security if we buy their silver or gold. Oh Really?

1Thessalonians 5: 2,3: “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

Ezekiel 7: 19: “They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be like refuse; Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them In the day of the wrath of the Lord; they will not satisfy their souls, Nor fill their stomachs, Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.”

The Bible is filled with many direct warnings, but also with many direct promises for those who earnestly seek a loving and sanctified relationship with Jesus, our creator, savior, and friend. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loves us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1John 4: 8-10)  

Begin 2026 with these words written by Ellen White: “True sanctification comes through the working out of the principle of love…The life of him in whose heart Christ abides, will reveal practical godliness. The character will be purified, elevated, ennobled, and glorified. Pure doctrine will blend with works of righteousness; heavenly precepts will mingle with holy practices.”  (AA pg. 560) Surrender your heart in love to Jesus today and every day; then let God deal with whatever happens in 2026.