Here we are on the very first day
of the year 2022. And on this day
it seems appropriate to pause
for a brief review of the ways
that we have sensed God’s
guiding presence in our lives
throughout this past year and
praise Him for His faithfulness.
But now we turn the page and
begin a brand new year.
And, if you are anything like me, you probably
really enjoy experiencing something new. Who
doesn’t’ like a new car, and who wouldn’t relish the
joy of a new baby? The very idea of something new
peaks our interest as we imagine what it will be
like to experience it.
This week I have been thinking about the New Year
that is about to begin. I found myself reviewing a
number of Scripture passages in which we find
references to things that are new. There is the
‘new birth’ as we are born again and become a
‘new creature’ through the transforming power of
the ‘new life’ we have in Christ Jesus. We understand
the importance of the ‘new heart’ that David
asked God to create in Him as we have likely
sensed our own need for such a heart.
Sprinkled throughout the Bible we find these
references to something new. At the very heart of
the instruction of Jesus is a ‘new command’ for us
to love each other. There really wasn’t anything
completely new about this concept, however,
Jesus restated the foundational principle of love in
a very clear manner.
As we move through the New Testament we are
drawn to the significance of a ‘new name’ and a
‘new song’ that will be a grand feature of the ‘new
heavens’ and the ‘new earth’ that God describes
as our ‘new home’. All of these ‘new’ things are so
very meaningful in the context of their significance
from God’s perspective.
At the beginning of this new year I am particularly
interested in the words found in Isaiah 43:18-21.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a ‘new thing’…I am making a way
in the wilderness…I will provide streams in the
wasteland to give drink to my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim
my praise.”
This passage is echoed by Paul when he says
‘forgetting those things which are behind, I press
forward…’ May we experience the joy of the ‘new
things’ that we will experience during this New
Year as we continue to walk with God, the One
Who never changes.
Warmly, Pastor Phil
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