New Years
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
Again, we come to the end of one year, and the beginning of another. This is the time people make resolutions for the new year. I do not want to make resolutions that I may not be able to keep. I do not know what will be of tomorrow, so I’ll simply trust the Lord each day, and take one day at a time. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34.
I do like to look back at the past year, not to dwell on the past, but to see and be reminded what the Lord has done for me, and what He has taught me. “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: . . .” Psalms 98:1. “Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;” Psalms 105:5.
This past year has been a good year, as have been all the years that I have walked with the Lord. Not that there have not been trials, but even in the trials, the Lord has shown Himself faithful, and good. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13. We have learned many things about trusting the Lord for every need. We have seen the Lord’s hand in everything in our lives. Even as we made some plans and tried to do things our way, we found that the Lord went ahead of us and brought things about much better than we could have planned.
Every year seems to go by faster and faster, as we eagerly await the return of our Lord. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:11-13. It is important to be reminded often that our purpose is to live as though the Lord is going to return today, while we continue our work every day pointing people to Jesus. Every situation that comes our way, is part of our preparation to meet the Lord in the air. More and more each year it seems the world has more to distract us from our Lord.
Jesus reminded Peter that the relationship between them was personal. In John 21:22, Peter is looking at another disciple and wondering about him and Jesus tells him “. . . what is that to you? You follow me!” We each have a personal relationship with our Lord, and He has called each of us to a particular ministry. We should not get distracted by what others are doing, and look only to Jesus and follow Him.
I look back and realize that on many occasions we were distracted, even if for a short time. As we go forward into 2025, we need to keep our focus on Jesus. Not on Christian ‘things.’ Not on man made religiousness. Not on politics. Not on earthly citizenship. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20 ESV. Not on acquiring things. Simply keep our focus on Jesus. Our faith, trust, and confidence completely in Him.
There will be much turmoil this year, even as there was last year. It will not get better, but worse. There will be uncertainty, there will be fear. Men who seek power love to use fear to move people in their direction. However, we must remember that our Lord is in ultimate control. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me” Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV).
If the Lord has not been given complete control of your life, this is the time to let Him. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:11-13.
If you look back over the last year, and do not see the Lord’s hand in your life, then perhaps today is the time to yield to Him. Why go another moment without Jesus in control of your life. You will find the trials useful instead of dreary and overwhelming. You will find peace in the turmoil of this world. Jesus did not promise us an easy life, but He certainly promised us that He would be with us, and that in the end, it would be worth it all.
I cannot emphasize enough how close we are getting to the coming of our Lord. I do not know the day nor hour, but it cannot be long now. Why go another year, or even another day just going through life without giving thought to the coming of the Lord. What real value is there in the things that the world offers? Life is just too short to waste on temporal things, when God offers eternal things.
So, if you reflect on the past year, consider what the Lord has done, and give Him thanks. Consider what you have learned of the Lord, and give Him thanks. I know Thanksgiving is already past, but not for the child of God. Give thanks this new year. “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:” Psalms 92:1.
