Every new year, we hear hope, encouragement, and positive messages all across the airwaves. As most of us anticipate, we all yearn for motivation to face the new year and the new tidings it brings our way. Many will assume all these talks are only emotional and irrational, as most talks for the new year seem exaggerated. Is there a reason for us to consider new beginnings as an opportunity to know more about the person, character, and work of God? What does scripture teach us about this, and in what ways can we live out these truths?
The God of the Past
The Bible begins with these words in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Before there was a start, before there was history, before there was a past, God was there already. History is His story. Paul tells us, in Romans 11:36, that all things are from him, through him, and to him. He is the author of all things that exist (John 1:3), and nothing can exist apart from God.
As we start this year, we must acknowledge that the past belongs to the Lord. The psalmist reminds us that all the days ordained for our lives were written in his book before even one began (Psalm 139:1-14). Everything that happened in the past year occurred because:
- God willed it – This is true because God wrote all the days of our lives (Psalm 139:16) in his book. Much as we have responsibility for what we do and what happens, God is intricately involved with all the details of our lives, including our past. God designed yesterday. This is why he is defined as the One who was, who is, and who is to come (Revelation 4:8).
- God caused them to happen – This is true because nothing occurs outside of God’s sovereign power. In willing things to happen, God is seen as the one who has set forth how things will play out. Since it is God who causes things to occur, we understand that God is the one who directs the course of how things take place because he holds them all. Take Job, for instance; it is clear that God is the One who caused all the trials to come his way (Job 1:6-12).
Objections to the Above
Many would ask about the bad things that came our way in the past year: the pains, the heartbreaking events, the traumas, and the indecent actions that others did against us. Is God still responsible for such moments? In order to well answer these questions, one ought to consider the following two facts:
- Fallen world – We live in a fallen world (Genesis 3) filled with lost and broken people, lacking any inherent goodness (Romans 3:10). It is sin that causes humanity to be compromised in how they do things. This is why we have people doing rogue, inhumane things against others, such as murder, rape, and other despicable atrocities. All these are signs of the depravity of man (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). So why does God allow such people to live on and do such things? God desires that people come to the knowledge of Christ (1 Timothy 2:3-4), and that is why the most cruel of people, whom we would rather die, are still alive today. God has allowed these people to live as much as they are under the great sway of sin (Ephesians 2:1-3).
- Consequences of our actions – Secondly, the actions we do in this life will always have consequences. It is clear that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23, Galatians 6:7-8). This death reality is expressed in the repercussions we see for our actions. If, for instance, I steal and get beaten up by a mob or get jailed by the police, I will have brought these consequences upon myself because of my ill behaviour. In this scenario, everyone was okay with me until I stole. The beating or jailing is an aftermath of my actions. In his mercy, God designed consequences to awaken us to our wickedness so that we may turn to him (Hebrews 12:11).
The God of the Present
But God is also the God of the present. He is here today, working in us for his glory and good purposes (Ephesians 2:10). Despite the challenges we may face in this life, God never leaves us nor forsakes us (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5). That is a promise of grace and providence, meaning that, by his grace (unmerited favour), God will today bring our way all the things we need so that he can affirm his presence in our lives. He gives us not because we deserve these things (Ephesians 2:8-9, Psalms 103:10), but because he is a benevolent Father, ever faithful. Today, we can rest assured that, more than the plans we have set for this year and the resolves of our hearts, God is committed to watch over you and me today. He has promised to guide and guard all our steps (Psalm 139:1-12). Wherever we find ourselves, God is there, holding us fast with his steadfast hand. The old hymn would call us to ‘Take it to the Lord in prayer’ because whenever we pray, we know that he hears us (1 John 5:15). What are you trusting God for in this New Year? It may be the academic opportunity or hopes in other matters. Much as I may not assure you in the affirmative that you will receive it, I can deeply encourage you that God has promised to be there today. Not just for the future but also, and most significantly, for today.
The God of New Things
Finally, he is the God of new things. He does not just let us wallow in old things of the past. God provides us with new grounds that cause our lives to be filled with heavenly surprises and pleasantries. Loving and walking with God does not necessarily guarantee persecution, suffering and pain. Scripture talks of the realities of experiencing God’s good things and favour (1 Peter 4:19, Matt. 5:11-12, 1 Peter 4:12-16, Genesis 12:2, 26:24, Ezekiel 34:26, Haggai 2:19). But with that in mind, I have three key areas to bring to our attention as we anticipate the many months ahead.
New Life in Christ
A new life should always precede new things. Have you known the Saviour of the world yet? Jesus is the one who gives us new life, and this year, we must purpose to go back to him as the leprous man did and say, “If you will, you can make me whole or clean.” (Matthew 8:1-3). There is no better way of kicking off the year than to go to God in prayer and surrender. He assures us that anyone who calls upon his name shall be saved (Romans 10:9-10), for no other name can save a soul and change a life (Acts 4:12, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17). If you need to do this, please check out the receive christ video in our website for more information.
New Attitudes
With a new life comes a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26-28), as the LORD promised when he gave the prophecy of salvation by the Messiah. A new heart should equally translate into new attitudes in the submitted soul. We, in Christ, exhibit new attitudes like humility (Philippians 2:5), focus on virtue (Philippians 4:8), a joyful heart (Proverbs 17:22), doing all things for God’s glory (Colossians 3:23), embrace grace-filled speech (Philippians 2:14-15) and many others that scripture is replete with. God is willing and ready to bless you with new attitudes this new year.
New Opportunities
Finally, another thing we can hope for this new year is that God will provide new opportunities. Remember that his mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:21-24), and there is hope that he will lead us to green pastures and still waters (Psalm 23:2-3) in days to come. Wherever you may be, know that the Lord can provide you with time and chance (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Take advantage of them and thrive in Jesus’ name.
God is making something new not because it is a prophecy but because that is who he is and that is what he does. Step out in faith and trust the power of our mighty God, who makes all things new.
