Each year following the festivities of Christmas, it seems as if we’re given another chance. A brand new year. There are endless possibilities that come with a new year, the thought of loosing weight, of becoming debt free (or just financially stable), beginning a new exercise routine, getting organized, or just spending time with family.
After “googling” New Years resolutions, infoplease.com (I don’t know anything about this website, proceed with caution!) gave me this tidbit of information: “Resolutions: It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. The early Christians believed the first day of the new year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the new year.”
And here is what our trusty dictionary says . . . decision made at New Year: a decision to do or stop doing something, made or announced at the New Year, which is traditionally considered a time for a fresh start.
Why are people so hopeful at the first of the New Year? What about opening a new calendar with a brand new year on the top gives us such motivation?
Scripture tells us in Lamentations 3:22-23 ”It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him” Christ gives his elect a new beginning EVERY morning! We do not have to wait until January 1, we can wake up each new morning with a new beginning!
What if we are just needing a renewal for our world weary souls? If so, we need look no further than our Lord! Isaiah says, “But those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength“, the Psalmist cries out to God to “Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me,“ and yet another portion in Psalms confirms that God not only takes care of our daily needs, but he takes care of the world in which He created for us. “These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season. What You give them, they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.”
This New Years Eve, when you look back on your year, or on New Years Day when you look ahead to the coming year, ponder this. . . . Are you exactly where God wants you to be?
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Spiritually (in His Word DAILY, in prayer, in intimate fellowship with Him)?
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Physically (at home with your children, or in the mission field, or wherever God has planned for you)?
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Mentally (sometimes we can be physically where God has called us, but we are longing for something else)?
Grapics from Art.com
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