Every new year offers us a chance at a new beginning and offers us new hope. We look forward to this each year. We associate the word resolution with the new year, but I pray that 2021 will include new “spiritual” resolutions: a regular devotional and prayer time, attending church, getting involved with mission work, and helping others. But more than these is improving our relationship with God.
2021 will be the same as 2020 unless we look to the Lord for change. We can never change on our own. Look at 2 Corinthians 5:17 and notice that the key word is “in.” It does not say people who know Christ, but people who are “in” Christ. In Christ means you have a personal relationship with the risen Lord. Only in Him can His Spirit within us give new life – new beginnings. Pray and ask God to take away all the old harmful, sinful things and make all things new. Then put action to your prayer! Live in God’s mighty power! The God of all creation speaks to us. May all we do this year be pleasing to Him.
Psalm 19
Creation Speaks
The heavens declare the glory of God.
The skies, the work of His hands.
Day by day their speech pours forth.
Night after night knowledge expands.
Their voice is heard in every speech.
No language without its call.
It goes into all the earth,
To the ends of the world for all.
In the heavens He has put up a tent,
A tent for the mighty sun,
Like a bridegroom coming forth.
Like a champion glad to run.
It rises at one end of the heavens.
And orbits along its course.
From one end to the other
Nothing is hidden from its force.
The law of the Lord is perfect and true.
It revives the soul of man.
His statutes are trustworthy.
Making wise the simple, His plan.
The precepts of the Lord are right and good.
Giving us joy in our hearts.
His commands are radiant
And light in our eyes He imparts.
The fear of the Lord endures forever.
His ways are faultless and pure.
They are completely righteous
And His ordinances are sure.
They are sweeter than honey from the comb,
And much more precious than gold.
By them is your servant warned.
Keep them, your reward will unfold.
Who can discern his mistakes and errors?
Please forgive my hidden faults.
Keep me too, from willful sins.
May they never rule or exalt.
Then will I be innocent and blameless
Of transgressions great and small.
I will be free of my sins,
And the Lord will be over all.
May the words of my mouth be pleasing, Lord.
My heart’s meditation too.
May they be pleasing in Your sight,
My Rock, my Redeemer, so true.
