“. . . and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:4-5, NASB)
To me, the New Year is about introspection, a time for a new beginning. It’s a time to reflect on what has been, and a time to resolve to be better, with God’s help. It’s a time to look forward, and to hope. What better way, than to consult God’s Word? The Apostle John, in God’s Revelation, provides such a hope to us. John, in his vision, promises a day when we’ll see no more death, nor crying, nor pain. “The first things have passed away.” God has promised to “make all things new.” I look forward to that day with great hope!
I resolve to go through the Bible again with the chronological study. I’m going to study the psalms as well.
I’m also going to change the frequency with which I publish these essays. I’ll post every five days instead of every three days. I’ve found it’s difficult to do it more frequently because of my eyes. Some days I can’t work my computer because my eyes can’t function. So I think it’s better to give an extra two days so I can do as well as I can. I’ll publish on days that are multiples of five (the 5th, 10th, etc.).
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2, NASB)
The New Year is a time for reflection, a time for change, if required. Actually, each day is a chance to do this. The New Year is a chance to review, refresh, reboot, and renew. Yet the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Roman church, seems to say that this is an ongoing process, when he says, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
I don’t know about you, but for me, I have to renew my mind each day. I pray that God would give me a new heart, one in which the Holy Spirit will be comfortable; a whole heart for God, like King David’s and King Josiah’s; and an undivided heart for Him. And why is it important to renew our minds? “So that [we] may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” It’s a process that doesn’t end.
My Bible study resolutions for 2023 are to read through the Bible once; to study the major prophets; and to study the New Testament letters of John, Peter, James, Jude, and the letter to the Hebrews. I’ll also write these essays as long as my eyes allow.
“For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ (Jeremiah 29:10-14, NASB)
The New Year! A chance for new beginnings. A reboot. But isn’t everyday like that? Maybe so, but on God’s cosmic calendar are dates which He established for us to remember things He has done, or to begin anew. For example, on Rosh Hoshana our Jewish friends begin their weekly Torah study over again. So there is usefulness in starting afresh. In the portion above from Jeremiah, God says that He has plans for each of us–if we would seek them out through prayer.
In this passage, God tells Jeremiah that after 70 years of exile in Babylon, He will begin the process to return His people to the land of Judah. God says He has plans for the people–just as He does for each of us. Those plans include “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” God’s plan includes us praying to Him, and searching for Him with all our hearts. Only then will we be in the place He wants us. It’s a great thing to be in the exact place God wants us!
The New Year is a great time for taking inventory, for remembering what’s transpired over the past 12 months. A year ago I was still eating some soft foods by mouth. In March I had to give that up. Chewing was exhausting, plus it was no longer safe due to the chances of aspirating the food into my lungs. I could also turn my head slightly. I’ve lost total ability of movement except for my eyeballs, eyelids, and my mouth. My current challenges include being able to swallow all my saliva, and moving my mouth and tongue in such a way as to allow someone to read my lips. Such is the progressive nature of my ALS, or as I like to call it, “Al’s.” Oh, and my nose runs. It’s the only thing on my body that does run!
But I can still manipulate my computer. I plan in 2022 to read through the Bible at least once, and to study Apostle Paul’s letters, and Proverbs. I want to spend more time “reading” as well, via Audible. Does anyone know of a good title on the book of Romans?
I got into a good discussion recently with Joe Shirey, an Air Force Academy classmate, my Sunday School teacher, and great friend. He’s been a cancer survivor for over 20 years. He said he is uncomfortable with the notion of “fighting” a disease. We always talk about how someone is fighting, or isn’t going to let him/herself die. Joe’s position is that’s fighting against God, and when we do that, we always lose. I have to agree. The Bible says that God has numbered our days. There’s nothing we can do to increase that number. I pray every day that God would give me the strength today to do what He wants me to do. I think that’s all I can do. Ultimately, whatever happens in 2022, God is in control. His will be done.
Have you sought God’s will for your life? He wants to have a relationship with you through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through His conversation with the prophet Jeremiah, God knows the plans He has for you and me. He wants to talk with us about those plans. He promises us a future and hope. God is a promise-keeper. You can count on Him!
