ANOTHER YEAR BEGINS–2016…

ANOTHER YEAR BEGINS—2016 (if you’re counting). 

The God Who created all things, created the earth that we live in to be confined to set times and seasons (Gen. 1:14; Eccl. 3; Ps. 19:1-6, 104:19). He created man to be set within this time structure even though He himself is not, as He is eternal (Deut. 33:27; Isa. 57:15; Ps. 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 1:4).

Since we’re human and confined to time, we do count things—the hours of the day—the days that pass—maybe milestone years. I have a dear friend who lived to the age of 97 years. That’s a lot of years! He was a good friend in Christ and will be dearly missed. I count that a loss to me personally but I can be thankful for all the days that added up to the 14 years that we enjoyed.

The number of days of one’s life, for many on this earth, will not even come near to the years of my friend. Some lives are cut short for reasons only God may have knowledge of. If those that we have loved are Christians who have died (fallen asleep in Christ), we have the hope of seeing them again in a place where time has no bounds (1 Thess. 4:13-18, John 3:16).

Since our days on this earth are numbered, it’s best if we can have a thankful heart to count our blessings even in the midst of our losses. As the Psalmist says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). Paul exhorts the Ephesians in verse 16, to walk wisely, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Paul counted all things a loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, His Lord, for Whom he had suffered the loss of all things, yet counted them rubbish in order that he gained Christ and was found in Him (Phi. 3:7-8).

No matter the number of the year, one thing we can always COUNT ON is GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. The Holy Scriptures document and testify of God’s faithfulness. His mercy reaches unto the heavens and His faithfulness reaches to the clouds (Ps. 36:5, 57:10). The Lord is faithful and will establish you and guard you from the evil one (2 Thess. 3:3). “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thess. 5:24).

So let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23)!

Laura