A new refrigerator arrived at my house this morning. After being without one in our kitchen for several months, my excitement was evidently high—so high the delivery man commented, “You must really like new things.”

Who doesn’t like a new pair of shoes, a new semester, a new haircut, or a new puppy? New seems fun. In this month’s featured article, Christina Fox reminds us that old ways—the means of grace—are what lead to new growth. She encourages us: “cease your restless searching for the next new thing; rest instead in what God has already given, trusting that he will use those means to complete the work he’s begun in you.”

In this new year, let the old paths remind you of the new that is always better. If you are in Christ, the Lord has. . .

• Given you a new heart and put a new spirit within you (Ezek. 36:26)
• Given you a new life through the new birth (1 Pet. 1:3)
• Provided a new way (Heb. 10:20) through the new covenant (Luke 22:20)
• Made you a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
• Shown you new mercies each new day (Lam. 3:22–23)

And one day the Lord will come again bringing the new city, the new Jerusalem, as he makes the new heavens and the new earth. “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new’” (Rev 21:5, emphasis mine). These are the new things that will always satisfy and always delight our needy souls.

Happy new year, friends!