| I usually make a New Year’s Resolution. Often, it’s something like, “I want to get in better shape.” or “I want to spend half an hour a day in personal devotions.” Sometimes I get ambitious and resolve to do both of these things, and more! This year, the Lord is pointing me in a different direction. Let me share. 😊
What have my new year’s resolutions actually accomplished? Have I ever kept them past about January 5? Sadly, the answer is no, probably not. Usually, I get weighed down with life and commitments and run out of time and steam. Or I make excuses like “I didn’t get to those things today, but I did this other thing instead.” That’s good enough, right?
I heard a sermon recently from a pastor of retirement age who talked about how all he wanted in his ministry was to glorify Jesus. He spoke of all the blessings he had received from the Lord. He spoke only of Jesus’ love for him, and his love for Jesus. It was only because of God’s love for him in Christ that he had accomplished anything good in his ministry. What a testimony! What a reminder to me of God’s great love and care.
And here’s where we get to this year’s New Year’s Resolution.
Maybe this year’s resolutions aren’t about me at all. Maybe I switch things up. All the years, and all the resolutions were pointing to what I wanted to do to improve. Maybe this year, I look to Him. What are His resolutions toward me in the New Year and every single day of my life?
Isaiah 43:1-3 says “But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.””
Psalm 103:11-12 says “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”
Romans 8:33-39 says “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
And just like that, I have Jesus’ resolutions toward me, and oh what powerful promises they are! In my fears and failings, in my sin and shame, in my weakness, He is the resolution. What are your favorite promises in the Word? Listen to His resolutions towards you. Rest in His promises.
In Him,
Joanna, the secretary 😊
Link to the full January Newsletter |
