As we come to the end of another year, I find myself reflecting on the 52 weeks—8,765.82 hours; 525,949.20 minutes; and 31,556,952 seconds—that have passed, and I am forced to acknowledge that, whatever trials, hardships, and afflictions I have faced, nevertheless, the Lord has been good to me.

He has faithfully brought me through every experience. I have not been without food or clothing. Even in times of sorrow, I have not been utterly bereft of hope and joy. Indeed, to the contrary, there have been many times of great joy, happiness and contentment.

I have a future and a hope.

His mercies are new every morning, and his faithfulness is great.

As we considered during Family Bible Hour some weeks ago, there is only one right and appropriate response from sinners who have received grace and truth from God, and that is worship.

The psalmist of Psalm 116 recognised his indebtedness to the Lord. He comprehended the fact of his privilege, and he knows that a response is called for. He searches his heart, asking, “What shall I render to the Lord?” How can I respond to all this grace?

Often, in movies, we will see a person receive a great gift from someone else, to which they say, “I just don’t know what to say.” This is appropriate and it is the position that we ought to come to as we consider the grace shown to us by God over 2025. A response is called for. But how does one respond to such abundant grace? How can a mere man, and a sinner at that, give back to an infinite and holy God?

The truth is, we cannot. We are debtors to grace. But our inability to repay the debt does not mean that we are to be passive. We were created for worship, and in Christ and the by the power of the Spirit, we are able to worship. This is an incredible privilege we have.

Family, as we stand on the brink of a new year, and in light of God’s goodness (both his kindness to us and his intrinsic beauty and worth), let us resolve to make 2026 a year characterised by worship.

Let us commit to exposing ourselves to the word daily. Let us worship in the context of our homes and families. Let us prioritise gathering for worship with the body. Let us allow the seed of the word to be sowed in our hearts at every opportunity, praying that God will allow it bear fruit. Let us be there when we gather for prayer and the Lord’s Supper. Let us look for and consistently take opportunities to serve one another.

Let us gather privately for prayer and mutual edification around the word. Let us even work hard at school and in our place of employment to the glory of God.

As the psalmist will write in Psalm 117 (which Tommie preached on recently), let 2026 be a year in which we “praise the Lord!”