01/04/2024
This week you are changing your calendar from 2023 to 2024. Your old calendar is full of life that happened. But, at this point the calendar from last year is the past- just full of memories. The new calendar is future - yet to be filled in with new things to attend, celebrate, and achieve ( I realize that you likely are using a calendar app on your phone at this point , but just go with me- haha). Sometimes, it's good to remember. In the Old Testament God tells us that we should remember. He institutes feasts and festivals to remember (Leviticus 23, Exodus 12, Ester, etc...). In the new testament Jesus tells us to " do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). In fact, the Bible itself is, in part, a history book ( and much more)!
But, as we switch to our new calendar we also see that God has given us fresh starts and new beginnings ... Think creation, think post-flood, think Ruth marries Boaz, etc.... Think Jesus! In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.".
In Isaiah the Israelites are in exile. They have no home, they're scattered, life doesn't look like God's promise to them ( all due to their own choices). In 43:18-19 it says, "Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert."
God is doing a new thing! You see, The old wasn't all bad, but much of it was full of sin and faithlessness....and certainly their current circumstances were terrible. Yet, the "new thing" is God's promise of a coming Messiah! It's the oldness of the judgment under the Old Covenant (or the Mosaic Covenant) vs. the newness of the hope provided by the promise of a coming Messiah who would redeem the people and rule righteously ( and, BTW- the old is fulfilled in the new)! He wants them to put the past behind and look forward. ...
So that's where we are led to a little thing we like to call New Year RESOLUTIONS. You see, they're good! God loves fresh starts. He loves New Beginnings... but most of our resolutions are about buckling down and driving toward something difficult.. They take "will power". If you're anything like me, I've found that my will is not that powerful - haha! Notice that in looking ahead in Isaiah 43- it's God doing the work in the "new". God will make a way where there is no way and do things that others cannot- "rivers in the desert and paths in the wilderness " So, with all your New Year plans remember that it is God who is in control and God who gives you strength. Remember that failures are former things but what lies ahead has hope in God's power. You don't need to have it all under control through massive willpower. In fact, we learn in Galatians 5 that one of the fruit of the spirit is "self-control"... It's the Holy Spirit working in you that allows you to have self control.... If I was saying this to you in person, I would put air quotes around the word "self" when saying, self-control. So give your year to God. Prioritize Him. Consult with and rely on Him as you make your plans and goals.
Here's some wisdom on this from Proverbs 16: "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.". And also from Proverbs 19- "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.".
Happy New Year!