The hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” will probably be sung in thousands of congregations across the world today. Here is the first stanza of the hymn – “Our God, our help in ages past/Our hope for years to come/Our shelter from the stormy blast/And our eternal home.” It was written by Isaac Watts around 1714, inspired by Psalm 90. The writing of the hymn coincided with a time of uncertainties in England. The song acknowledges the past help of God, and looks up in hope for future input. It has since become a symbol of comfort and hope, sung on Remembrance Day and other events throughout the Commonwealth. It used to be a delight for me at every Cross-over service while growing up as a little Baptist boy.

While all your dreams and desires may not have seen the light of day, the fact that you are alive means that you can dream again…lift up your eyes to the hills, and receive help for next year.

Anyone reading this has indeed been helped by God. If nothing else, you have seen every day of this year till the very last day. While all your dreams and desires may not have seen the light of day, the fact that you are alive means that you can dream again. You can keep hope alive because the breath of the Almighty is still in you. What is required on this last day of the year is to express gratitude to God for all His guidance and preservation all through the year 2025. In the same breath, lift up your eyes to the hills, and receive help for next year. His grace will make all the difference.