Sing Your Song

Believers have a new song to sing, a different tune than before meeting our Savior. But when singing from the heart doesn’t come, whether we “feel like it,” praise God for who He is: “O sing unto the Lord a new song, for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory” (Psalm 98:1). God rescued us by “His right hand and holy arm”—Christ’s redeeming love. God sending His Son to pay our sin debt; Jesus Christ’s victory over death and Satan; God’s presence always with us; God is worthy of our singing His praises. His mercies are new every day—sing to Him.

Newborns

Peter tells us in his second epistle: “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus” (2 Pet 3:18). In the preceding verses, the apostle spoke of new believers being easy prey to false teachers and self-formed interpretations of Scripture which can effortlessly sway unestablished converts, turning them from God’s truth. Then he says, “But,” urging new babes in Christ to pursue spiritual growth from sound biblical teachings that ground us—knowing more of God and learning from His Word is our duty as believers until we see Jesus face-to-face. Peter explains when we diligently add to our faith moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, kindness, and love, we will not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord, nor will we stumble (1:3–10). They will establish and settle us by God’s grace. 

Smart Move

Outwit the opponents of your soul: “Thou, through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for they are ever with me” (Psalm 119:98). God’s instructions begin by hearing, reading, and meditating on His Word. God’s wisdom comes by surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, living out what you heard, read, and pondered. The lack thereof explains our world’s current condition.

Falling Goodness

An acorn falls from a tree and nourishes wildlife, grows a sapling, or stays where it fell and decays. Does what fall from your daily influence drop nourishment, encourage growth, lay useless, or worse, rot and cause harm? God’s prophet said the Lord told us what He requires of us: Do what’s right—love God with all your being, love others (even the unlovely), and yourself by keeping yourself in check. We are to be merciful, showing kindness and compassion even to the unkind, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). How can we do this? Acknowledge our pitiful state and the need to receive salvation by God’s Savior. When we obey the Lord, living rightly, what falls from our lives in 2022 will honor our Maker and bless others. 

Step Wisely

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Why stumble your way through the darkness when you can carry a lantern or flashlight? Valuable tools unless you neglect to light the lantern or put batteries in the flashlight and turn it on. God is faithful and unchanging. His Word is the lamp, illuminating the paths He prepared before time for you to walk (Eph 2:10). You will walk safely and confidently in His light and truth when you open, read, meditate on, receive and live out God’s Word, penned by men inspired by the Holy Spirit. Or leave The Book unopened, gathering dust and grope your way, stumbling along a dark, unguarded path. It seems like a “no brainer,” but many people settle for the latter. 

Blessed Fatness

“Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness, and Thy paths drop fatness” (Psalm 65:11).

God adorns each year with His goodness like a crown as it revolves through its seasons. Beauty and fruitfulness gently fall in abundance along His path, wherever He goes. His fatness—God’s blessings, fall; nature’s beauty and the earth’s fruit shout and sing of it; even the uncultivated wastelands don’t escape His goodness. How can any human not be grateful, thinking God isn’t good or doesn’t exist? As it falls on you, praise Him.

Look Forward

Last year’s chalk dust has settled. Regrets and fretting are useless; God wipes your slate clean with repentance. Keep your eyes on Him; no looking back unless recalling what He brought you from and how vast His mercies, forgiveness, and blessings have been. Paul focused on the awaiting prize—his Father, spending eternity in heaven, saying: “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before. . .” (Phil 3:13). Encouraging us to do the same, he said to throw off everything that would hinder our pressing forward. Life’s race is on for 2022. Keep your eyes on The Prize; Jesus is waiting at the finish line.

Happy New Year; be a blessing!