one word for 2024

 Way back in 2012, this blog started with the "One Word" challenge. That started something I stuck with through 2020--choosing a word to be my focus for the new year. I was better at it some years than others, and in the craziness of the past few years it was something that faded into the background. This year, though, I felt the desire to find my one word again.

Choosing a word has been easier some years than others. There were years when I struggled for weeks and others where a word just kind of fell into my lap. This year, it wasn't the word that first popped into my head, but a verse:

"It is better to take refuge in ADONAI than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in ADONAI than to trust in princes."
(Psalm 118:8&9)

2024 is an election year here in the US. The ugly commercials and commentary are already out there--it seems like it has been unending since the 2020 election, to be honest. Now is the time of extravagant promises that we all know will almost undoubtedly be forgotten just after the next president is sworn in right around a year from now. Thinking of all the chaos that is sure to come in this year brought those two verses from Psalm to mind. No matter which side of the political aisle we are on, it is incredibly easy for us to start putting faith in a person to have all the answers. If we can just get the right person in the White House... the right people in the House and Senate... the right people wearing the judicial robes... then all of our issues would be solved. If we can just elect the right President, all the problems with our nation would disappear, right?

But these verses remind us that our salvation isn't in any political leader. It doesn't matter who we elect in November--there is no earthly "prince" who is worth putting our trust in. It is only in God that we can find salvation.

Those verses led me to a word search and a whole host of other verses, all centered around the word I've selected for this year:

Refuge.

Safety and shelter from pursuit, danger, or trouble.

"On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength.
My refuge is in God."
(Psalm 62:8)

"As for God, His way is perfect.
The word of ADONAI is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."
(2 Samuel 22:31)

Psalm 18
(Just read the whole thing!)

2024 is set to bring so many unexpected things--just like every year. Could it be more intense than it has been in the past? Of course. Could it be better? Of course.

Whatever comes, though, know that God is a refuge for His people. The world could crumble around us, but God will never be shaken. He is in control, even of the upcoming election.

Daniel 2:20-23
20  Praise the name of God forever and ever,
        for all wisdom and power belong to Him.
²¹     He sets in motion the times and the ages;
        He deposes kings and installs others;
    He gives wisdom to the wise
        and grants knowledge to those with understanding.
²²     He reveals deep truths and hidden secrets;
        He knows what lies veiled in the darkness;
        pure light radiates from within Him.
²³     I recognize who You are, and I praise You, God of my ancestors,
        for You have given me wisdom and strength.