As a new year begins, we may be thinking about things we want to start doing, stop doing, do better, or do more often. But in our legitimate desire for personal growth, we can also think that our relationship with the Lord and the blessings he gives us are based on our obedience. This week’s sermon passage gives us a timely (but always needed) reminder that it is by faith and faith alone that we are blessed by God, just as Abraham was. At the top of our list of New Year’s resolutions then—in a class by itself, in fact—should be to resolve to rest and trust more and more in what Jesus Christ has already done to deliver us from the curse of hopelessly trying to earn God’s favor by our obedience.