New Year’s Resolutions

When I was much younger I would make a New Year’s resolution. However, not only did I not keep the resolution, but within two weeks I completely forgot what the resolution was that I had made in the first place. I have a feeling I’m not alone in this past venture. Resolutions are made because we genuinely want to be better at something, It may be to exercise more, be nicer to irritating colleagues at work or school, review the budget in order to save more money, resist junk food, etc. Resolutions are made as a result of looking at the past year, taking note of where we need to be stronger, then setting forth to do it. Is it the same in our spiritual worlds?

When we take time to review our spiritual walk over the past year, what we see above our own shortcomings is something that soars above every human expectation. We see the awesomeness of our Almighty God! We see that where we failed, He has never known such a thing. We see that when we called out in fear, He drew near to us, soothing our worries. We see that when we didn’t know which direction to take in some matter, that He whispered into our hearts saying, this is the way, walk in it (Isaiah 30:21). When our consciences were troubled because of known sin in our lives, the sweet Holy Spirit led us to repentance, then filled us with the peace of forgiveness.

In short: we will fail in many aspects of our lives, but our Heavenly Father, Who knows our weaknesses, offers unlimited forgiveness, restoration, strength, joy, peace, and courage. He designs each new day for us to enjoy. He blesses us with food to eat. Like a shepherd tends lovingly to His sheep, so our Great Shepherd cradles us in His arms of love, being our everything to get us through anything.

Throughout this new year, remember the Lord’s faithfulness to you in all your yesterdays, then proceed forward with songs of praise on your lips and thankfulness in your hearts. A joy will stay with you in good times, difficulties, and in grievous times for His love endures forever as we are reminded in Psalm 136. I encourage each of us to read this Psalm again…and again…..and again. How beautiful indeed is the unbreakable truth — His love endures forever.