Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
This passage of scripture can appropriately be used to describe the last of the seven lean years that shook up the financial markets and rattled the peace and security we had enjoyed as a nation. Beginning in 2001, seven years of unprecedented prosperity and astronomical rise in home and property values drove our nation to levels of growth not witnessed by most for many previous generations. But this was followed by the seven lean years which began to settle in on the world in general, from between 2007 and 2008, in which the stock market plummeted precipitously, and many were driven from their homes as jobs evaporated and several businesses tanked. However, just as it was in the days of Joseph, our nation was scheduled to recover, even though many financial experts, including the Feds were talking of a financial cliff, which of course never materialized due to the prophecies given by Christ and the prophets of old. One of these prophecies specifically speak of a time of financial wealth and prosperity, coupled together with a new world order in the religious arena, where the multitudes of earth will be looking forward with anticipation to the dawn of a new era in the history of our world, when suddenly the nations of the earth will be arrested in their plans by the coming kingdom of God, which will bring all of our earthly endeavors to a permanent halt. Let's read:
1st Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
However, the times here spoken of are not just yet, for there are certain developments which must take place before this cataclysmic prophecy is fulfilled, and it's for this reason why this presentation is entitled, "A year of new beginnings", meaning that there is still hope, and room to expand and grow spiritually, since the probation of the world has not yet closed. During this past year, many of us have made vows to the Lord to seek His face diligently everyday, and to set aside quality time to deepen our relationship with Him. But some of us have failed miserably, and because of this our Christian experiences were turbulent and we encountered headwinds which could have been successfully avoided, if we had taken the time to listen to the still, small voice of God, speaking to our hearts. The hum drum of everyday life, and the cares and perplexities that attend our way, were permitted in some instances to rob us of the eternal riches that are to be found only in Christ, and it would be well, if as we reflect upon our doings of the past year, that we would reason from cause to effect, and ask the Lord to grant us His grace and His Spirit in increasing measure, so that if we're given another year of life, it would be used to further the cause of God in the earth, and also to deepen our relationship, and strengthen our understanding of The God whom we serve.
Another year should never meet us in a retrogressive or even stagnant state, because the Christian's life is one of consistent, forward movement and development, gaining strength, definition, and momentum as the days go by, and producing more and more fruit to the honor and glory of God. Let us therefore be wise and use the allotted time to serve the Lord in spirit and in truth, and to fulfill the great gospel commission in our neck of the woods, because the day of the Lord hastens greatly, and the opportunities we are given today may be gone tomorrow. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to stay the course with Christ this coming year, so that the necessary growth in grace and character building may continue without interruption. Let's read:
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!