A new year, a new start, as they say. Right? I say no. I say, a new day, a new start - if you truly desire it. Isn't that what God's mercy offers us? Isn't that what Jeremiah was referring to when he wrote in Lamentations 3:
21 This I call to mind, therefore have I hope.
22 [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
23 [They are] new every morning: great [is] Thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.
25 The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul [that] seeketh Him.
So even as the world suggests that a new year gives new hope, we who know the LORD personally, as our Father, strive to share and remind them that it is not a new year that brings hope - it's the faithfulness and steadfastness of the LORD who patiently waits for us to turn back to Him (while we wait in patience of hope for His return for us (1 Thes. 1:3)).
So what Jeremiah brought to mind, and we do too, is that because the LORD's mercies are new every morning, and they keep us from being consumed, because of His sure and endless compassions, we are moved to renew our resolution (a fitting term for the new year) that the LORD IS my portion, and my hope is in Him, not in a new year; because we know that the LORD is good to all who wait for Him and seek Him!!
Assignment:
We'll start Chapter 5 of the Attributes book on January 7th.
- Read Chapter 5 - pages 75-95.
- Read the Study Guide for Chapter 5 (Session 6 in the second half of the book) - pages 43-51.
As you prepare, remember that the 2022 celebration of our Lord's 1st advent may be over for another year, but our expectation of His 2nd advent is continual, until he comes AGAIN, maybe this year!
Maranatha!