A new year offers hope.
It offers a chance to start anew and make things better than
before. We enter the New Year during the
winter when the earth is most bear, almost like it’s in a deep sleep awaiting
the morning light to start afresh. But just
around the corner is the promise of spring, when new life begins and the earth
renews itself. Like the New Year our
walk with Christ offers many new beginnings.
His desire for us is to have a good life, hope and a future. He is a merciful and forgiving
God. He is always available to us, and desires the best for us. As we enter
this New Year, we enter with the promise of God’s plan for our lives, His
compassion, His mercy and His guidance.
What is interesting is that God knows, all too well, our
shortcomings and He is still ready to help us.
It is up to us to both see our shortcomings and desire to rid ourselves
of them. Truly, God does not see what man sees, for man
looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the
heart." I Samuel 16:7.
Consider Rahab the harlot, out of all the people in Jericho, He chose to save her. The scripture tells us she was
living in a house of ill repute, a practicing sinner. Society would condemn her on the spot,
without a conversation. However, the God we
serve could see much more, he could see her heart. Even though people could not see, Rahab
had turned to the living God. He
recognized her desire for Him. He could
see her heart was no longer in her profession, her potential, her sincerity, and her humanity. Out of all of the people in Jericho, God knew
who would hide the spies that Joshua would send. He knew Rahab was on his side.
We serve a redeemer who is able to see our hearts. He knows when we are longing for his
presence, no matter what our situations are today. Even though people may judge what they see
outwardly, God sees your heart. So start this New Year with the God of mercy on
your side.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 22 Because of the Lord’s
great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never
fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
