GLORY TO THE GOD WHO KEPT ME THROUGH THE YEAR

TEXT: LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23.

Today is the last Sunday of the year 2025. It is the 52nd Sunday of the year. God has been faithful to you and I throughout the year. This message celebrates God’s preserving power and faithfulness that sustained us through every season of the year.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not”-Lam. 3:22.

As the year draws to a close, we pause to acknowledge that survival was not accidental but divinely orchestrated.

Many began the year with us but did not make it through.

Our preservation is evident of God’s mercy, not human strength.

Truly, it is the Lord who has kept us. Throughout, the year we all faced uncertainties and battles, challenges and unseen dangers.

It was God who stood as pour keeper, defender and sustainer. His mercies renewed every morning became our daily covering and strength. God’s message to us today calls us to reflection, gratitude and renewed trust.

When we look back we can honestly testify, that if the Lord had not been on our side, the outcome would have been a disaster. Let us therefore consider:-

GOD KEPT US BY HIS MERCY.

• The mercy of God is the foundation of our preservation.
• It is mercy that shielded us from destruction and gave us another chance.

Mercy preserved us from destruction-Lamentations 3:22. God’s compassion prevented total consumption.

Mercy covered our shortcomings-Psalm 130:3.

• If God marked iniquities, none could stand.

Mercy sustained us daily-Psalm 23:6.

• God’s goodness and mercy followed us throughout the year.

Mercy triumphed over judgement-James 2:13.

• This year God chose compassion over condemnation for your life.
• The children of Israel were preserved in the wilderness solely by God’s mercy despite repeated disobedience-Nehemiah 9:19-21.

GOD KEPT US BY HIS POWER.

• Beyond mercy, God actively defeated and protected us by His mighty power throughout the year.

God is our keeper-Psalm 121:-4.

• He neither slumbers nor sleeps over our lives.

God preserved us from unseen dangers-Psalm 124:1-3.

• Many traps were laid in secret places for you and I.
• By God’s power you avoided all of them.

God delivered us from evil-2nd Tim. 4:18.

• His hand rescued us repeatedly.

The Lord carries us through weakness-Isaiah 46:3-4.

• When strength failed, He carried us.

GOD KEPT US THROUGH EVERY SEASON.

• God’s faithfulness was consistent in every phase of the year; good days and difficult days alike.

God kept us in times of joy-Psalm 126:2-3.

• He filled our mouths with laughter.

God kept us in times of trouble-Psalm 66:10-12.

• Troubles did not destroy us-2nd Cor. 4:7-9.

God kept us in transitions-Deut. 31:8.

• God’s presence went before us.

God kept us when answers delayed-Habakkuk 3:17-19.

• Faith literally sustained us while waiting.
• Job was preserved through loss, pain and restoration by God’s sustaining, preserving grace-Job 1-2; 42:10.

GOD KEPT US FOR A PURPOSE.

• Preservation is a proof that God is not finished with us.
• God keeps those He still intends to use.
• The reason you are still alive today is because God has a plan to use you for His own glory.

Preservation confirms divine purpose-Jer. 29:11.

• God’s plans for us remain intact.

God kept us to fulfill destiny-Psalm 138:8.

• God completed what concerns us.

God kept us to reveal His glory-Isaiah 43:7.

• Our lives exists for His praise.

God kept us to enter a greater tomorrow-Prov. 4:18.

• Our path continues to shine brighter.
• The Apostle Paul was preserved through ship wreck and persecution because his assignment was not yet complete-Acts 27:22-25.

CONCLUSION

• Looking back over the year, one truth stands firm; God kept us, not by chance, not by power, not by wisdom, but by His mercy and grace.
• Every preserved life is a testimony of divine faithfulness.
• As we move forward, let thanksgiving guide our hearts. Let obedience shape our steps.
• The God who kept you throughout the years will surely keep us into the next, until His purpose for your life is fully accomplished.
• I wish you Jesus Christ in the New Year 2026.

PRAY

• Father, thank you for preserving my life throughout this year.
• Lord, I acknowledge that it was your mercy that sustained me.
• Lord, Let your preserving power continue over my life and family.
• Lord, strengthen me to fulfill the purpose you preserved me for.