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PROGRAM D-7740
Are you ready to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017? It’s about that time, whether you’re ready or not! However, before we close the door on 2016, I think it would be helpful to simply survey these past twelve months—the good, the bad and the ugly, as they say.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
Speak to one another with psalm, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:19-20)
We are to give thanks to God even for the things that didn’t work out the way we wanted them to, or the really difficult things that happened to us. And sometimes you have to do that by faith, not by feelings, because who feels thankful for difficult circumstances—for financial hardships or relationship struggles; for lost jobs or sick loved ones? But if you will give thanks anyway—a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord—you will be able to close out 2016 with hope and anticipation of the good things God has for you in 2017.
As 2016 comes to a close, I want to end on a note of great encouragement for you and for me, from these wonderful passages in God’s Word:
Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:27-31
And from our Savior, Jesus Christ, his wonderful promise to us:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3
Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b
That is God’s big picture, and because he lives and because he has promised to be with us, and because he is coming back to take us to be with him, we have a bright future in 2017.
Happy, blessed, joyful New Year.