It’s a new year. We make resolutions, we make plans. We find some realistic advice in the book of James.
James 4:14 (GNT)
You don’t even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears.
Not that we shouldn’t plan ahead — we should. But we must hold those plans loosely, because our times rest in God’s hands, not ours.
Good morning, Lord. It’s a new year, a fresh start, with new mercies. What is it You want me to do this year, this month, this day? Teach me to check my desires, my resolutions and my to-do list against Your Word and the Spirit’s nudge. Your will, not mine, be done today and throughout the year, in Jesus’ name.
Galatians 4:4 (ESV)
But when the fullness of time had come,
God sent forth his Son.
God’s timing is always just right. It’s no accident that you are living here and now. This is your “fullness of time.” Resolve to use it well.
“Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
in this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay,
thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.”
Daniel C. Roberts
God of Our Fathers, 1876
“May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening
bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake.”
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
“You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth:
A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick;
Spiritual light for the blind;
The cup of salvation for the thirsty;
The bread of life for the hungry.
In the winter when trees are bare,
You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit.
In the frost when the earth is barren,
You bring new hope to our souls.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)
A few quiet words from COMPEL Training:
“Let the just rejoice,
for their Justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their Saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.”
Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
“The feast day of your birth resembles you, Lord,
Because it brings joy to all humanity . . .
Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.
At your birth heaven and earth were reconciled,
Since you came from heaven to earth on that day
You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)
