Happy New Year
January 2023 |
It’s the most common greeting between the end of Christmas and throughout the first week of January. Even total strangers will greet one another by saying, “Happy New Year!”
I’ve often wondered, is “Happy New Year” a declaration, wishful thinking, or simply a cry for hope in a time when all looks hopeless? No matter what the reason is for saying it, the greeting itself does not guarantee a happy new year.
WE’RE ALL HOPING FOR THE BEST
Was it a good year? Was it a mediocre year? Was it a year of challenges? Whatever the answer may be, this is the beginning of a new year. There will be trials and tribulations. There will be some failures, but there can also be victories and times of joy. Here’s some good news: We can do more than just hope for the best. We can do something about it. I’m not talking about making a New Year’s resolution, getting a better job, or moving to a new city, state, or country. I’m talking about changing your priorities. I’m talking about setting the focus of your faith on the Lord Jesus Christ and on the completed work of Calvary. Only Jesus can bring you a happy year.
PUTTING JESUS FIRST
Is it possible that part of the reason why last year wasn’t all we hoped for was because of some of the decisions we made? I’m not talking about bad financial decisions or even overspending. I’m talking about the day-to-day activities we were involved in. I’m talking about trying to go through the day without God’s help or input. How has that worked out? Is it possible that putting Jesus first may have influenced the outcome?
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus taught, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). This is more than just a quaint little saying. This is a God-given formula for a happy new year.
When Christ has the preeminence in our lives, when He is placed first in our lives, God promises His blessing on our lives. God seeks to bless those who seek first the kingdom of God. This verse is not saying that we will be exempt from trials and tribulations. That certainly is not the case. It is, however, saying that He will be with us in the very midst of every trial and tribulation.
JESUS IS THE SOURCE
As we seek Jesus, we are seeking the very source of all that we need as believers. All that we receive from God comes through the cross. Jesus is the source, and the cross is the means. You can never separate the cross of Christ from the Christ of the cross. For all of eternity, Jesus will bear the marks of Calvary.
WHAT IF WE FAIL TO SEEK HIM?
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Things cannot work out for good if we neglect to put Him first. If we fail to seek God, how can we expect Him to make all things work out for our good?
PUT CHRIST FIRST AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR
We are facing a new year. Political, social, and financial uncertainty is everywhere. And yet, we can still have God’s peace. Regardless of how you evaluated last year, we can always see to it that this year we draw closer to Jesus than ever before. If we do this, it will be a happy new year—all year.
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