New Year Assurance
Jesus wants to meet you in the inaugural days of this new year in order to guide, govern, and guard you all through it. That will make it a happy new year regardless of circumstances.
Our loving Lord stands with hand outstretched for you to put your hand in His and let Him guide you into the unknown.
Twelve months ago another new year was set before you. It has rolled into eternity and carried with it broken hearts, shattered dreams, personal losses, and unanticipated anguish. It is as much ancient history as 1892. It is too late to win victories where there were losses, to unsay unkind words, to show strength instead of weakness, and to be loyal to the Lord in times when you compromised.
However, here it is another new year. It is God’s way of saying, “OK now, we are going to keep doing this over until we get it right.”
There is something new and fresh about the inaugural days of another year. It is a time to review and resolve.
The words of Longfellow challenge us as we face a new year:
“Look not mournfully into the past; it comes not back again. Wisely improve on the present; it is yours.
Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly spirit.”
That can only be done with Christ as guide.
The dawning of a new year causes most of us to think about our habits; good and bad.
We first make a habit and then the habit makes us.
The principal character in Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World, said, “I will make good habits and become their slave.”
The choice is yours. We are creatures of habit. You can either be a slave to good or bad habits.
Resolve to make good habits; they are as difficult to break as bad ones.
Make habit number one the submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and all other habits will be governed by that superior habit. Habitually, that is daily, submit to Him as your Lord.
Moses in speaking to his followers shared insight with them, that
though spoken not to you, are applicable and relevant to you as you face the unknown awaiting in the new year. Learn them and live within the light they provide by which to see life in general as a spiritual conqueror.
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Then to affirm God’s guidance Moses virtually repeated the promise.
“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 3:18)