Happy New Year

Happy New Year

 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Psalms 90:12)

 

I venture to say that over the last few weeks and even continuing on for a few more, everywhere you go someone will say to you, "Happy New Year". This is a time in which people look back over the past months remembering what has occurred in their lives or as the case may be, what hasn't occurred and based on this remembrance resolve to do things differently in the new year. I venture to say that most of us have been thinking about the approaching days of 2026 to the point of planning what we will or will not do during the course of those days. There is nothing amiss in doing this but we must not forget that there are no guarantees that we will see any of those days or if we do, they may be few in number. None of us know how long we are going to live. We number our days by living each one as if we know it will be the last one (1 Samuel 20:3).  We should enjoy every moment of our lives but as we do, we had best learn from Solomon the vanity of not thinking, not planning ahead for the day in which we will stand face to face with our God (Ecclesiastes 9:10, 12:13; Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10). As we enjoy life today and as we look forward to the new year, let us make absolutely sure that we include God in our lives (Luke 12:15-21). Live each day on the premise, "the Lord willing I will do this or that" (James 4:14).

 

No one lives in an ideal situation. Oh, we dream of the perfect life but everyone of us will face all of those trials and burdens that will from time to time make us cry out "Why". We must strive each day to acquire the strength and courage that can be obtained only through a complete trust in God. Consider for a moment the trust that Job had in God (Job 1:21-22, 13:15). I think of  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego whose trust in God was such they could face the fiery furnace without fear (Daniel 3:13-18). O, that you and I will strive to have such faith in our God. May the words of David from Psalms 62:7-8 echo through our hearts as we prepare, the Lord willing, to embark on a new adventure on this journey we call life: "In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God. Trust him at all times; ye people pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

 

Charles Hicks