At the beginning of each new year, the word "new" gets way overused.

We are bombarded practically every day in January and on into February with lots of talk about "new". New stuff, new ideas, new exercise programs, new diets, new bodies. New year's resolutions, new products, new Christmas gifts we are enjoying, or need to return for something else new.

Lots of chit chat and rumblings about the importance of "new".

Yet the truth is, this new year really brings nothing new. Everything we see in the media has been done, offered or promised before in some way, shape or form. Every goal we might set for ourselves has been set by someone somewhere at some point in the past (maybe even ourselves). Every political issue and crime committed is not completely new, and has probably happened before.

The gifts we got for Christmas are new to us, but not new to the world, and they may have already lost some of their "new-ness" by now. New fashions are based on old fashions, and new television shows are merely updated or tweaked versions of shows that have been forgotten. New problems bring new stressors, but the ways we are called to handle them are not new.

The truth is, nothing under the sun is really new, except the numeric number on our calendar.

You know what else is not new? Jesus.

Revelation 1:8 says “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (NIV) Doesn't it bring comfort to know that no matter what we are facing or what burdens we are carrying, they are not new to Jesus? And He is not new to walking His children through the mountains and the valleys.

I love how The Message Bible translates this verse, when it says "The Master declares, “I’m A to Z. I’m The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive. I’m the Sovereign-Strong.”

He is A to Z, and everything in between. Every old issue, every new issue, and every issue to come is in His care - and so are we. He is our Sovereign Strong One. The One who makes us new in spirit, because of His spirit within us.

So you see, God is all about "new", but the not the way the world describes "new". His perspective on "new" is based on wanting the best for us. He wants us to have a new and better attitude, a new and stronger faith, a new positive outlook, a new trust in Him. He wants us to know that we are a "new" creation because of who He is, and that His mercies are renewed every day.

Now that's the type of "new" stuff that really excites me. What about you?