40 Inspiring New Year’s Bible Verses (with Free Printables)

If you desire to walk in true freedom and power in the New Year, God’s Word is filled with New Year’s Bible verses that help us reflect on God’s goodness in our lives. The start of a new year is always a great time to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness.

One of my favorite Bible passages to contemplate during the new year is found in Isaiah 61:1-2. The prophet Isaiah powerfully foretold of the Messiah who would come and proclaim the “year of the Lord’s favor”. 

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Isaiah 61:1-2

A time would come when the Chosen One would set captives free, and would comfort the brokenhearted. This Anointed One was Jesus, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). As we reflect on God’s faithfulness over the past year, we can take great joy and comfort in this powerful truth. 

What is the Year of the Lord’s Favor?

In order to understand the year of the Lord’s favor, we can recall the day when the angel Gabriel paid a very unexpected visit to Mary. Imagine being greeted by the flashing gleam of a glorious light. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28).

The angel proceeded to inform Mary that she would usher in the Savior of the world for all of humanity. Can you imagine the sheer fear and excitement she must have felt? That following year, as Mary, the one who was deemed highly favored by God, gave birth to the One who would usher in the foretold year of the Lord’s favor.

Years later in Luke 4:18, Jesus stood before a crowd in the synagogue and proclaimed the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me  to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:18-21

This Scripture was fulfilled when Jesus came as a tiny baby from Mary’s womb–Immanuel, God with us.

Now because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we, like Mary, are endowed with God’s grace and favor. The word favor throughout Scripture is defined as acceptance, delight, grace, honor and blessings (source). We can praise our heavenly Father for his amazing favor, and for the powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

God sent Jesus as a tiny infant to release us from the captivity of sin and darkness–and now we can confidently walk in his glorious light, entering our year of grace and incredible favor. As we enter a new year, we can confidently trust that God’s favor will meet us at the start of each new day.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

This past year may have been a difficult one. Some of us have lost loved ones. Some of us lost homes in devastating hurricanes or in ravaging forest fires. Some of us may have lost jobs, or are still waiting for a prodigal child to come home.

But no matter what difficulties we may face in the future, one truth remains certain:

The favor of the Lord is upon us.

Despite the storms that may rage around us, the grace and favor of our mighty God will surround us like a shield. Just as the prophet Isaiah proclaimed hundreds of years before Jesus lay in a manger, this is our year of favor.

Instead of a year of grief and ashes, God has given us a crown of beauty. Instead of a year of bitter mourning, we are anointed with the oil of gladness. Instead of a spirit of desperate despair, we are adorned with sparkling garments of praise (Isaiah 61:2-3).

As we plan and prepare for a new year–a year that will certainly have unforeseen challenges, let us remember that the favor of God is with us, and we can enter this new year with grace and freedom.

40 Powerful New Year’s Bible Verses

Here are 40 powerful New Year’s Bible verses that will fill us with hope and joy as we enter a new year!

New Year’s Bible Verses on New Beginnings

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,  for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame. Zephaniah 3:5

“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Isaiah 42:9

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. Isaiah 48:6

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17

New Year’s Bible Verses on God’s Favor

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:12

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11

You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. Psalm 85:1

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise. Psalm 106:4-5

New Year’s Bible Verses on Hope

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope…2 Thessalonians 2:16

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13

New Year’s Bible Verses on Joy

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:27

“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Psalm 20:5

New Year’s Bible Verses on Living with Purpose

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Proverbs 20:5

…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

New Year’s Bible Verses on God’s Grace

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…2 Timothy 1:9

New Year’s Bible Verses on Faith

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  Romans 5:1-2a

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Free Printable of Isaiah 61

As we reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness in the new year, here is a printable version of the entire chapter of Isaiah 61 that you can download and print off. May the Lord grant you grace and favor and you trust in him in the new year!

Get the printable page of Isaiah 61 here.

Free Printable Planner Page

As we walk in a new year of freedom and victory, you can also download a free printable planner page that you can print and use to plan each day!

You can download the free printable planner page here.

Related Posts

25 Bible Verses About Hope and Strength

27 Bible Verses on God’s Protection from the Storms of Life

12 Powerful Scriptures when you Feel Discouraged