JANUARY 1 2017
A new year, new beginnings, but what is a year in God’s calendar?
After all, a day in His sight is as thousand years, and a thousand years is as
a day. Life passes buy with the speed of a freight train “life is but a vapor…vanity
(mere breath), all is vanity (mere breath).” I sometimes feel dizzy, other
times a bit cynical as the days march relentlessly on. “Only one life will soon
be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” We’ve all heard this little
ditty, yet it is true. I’m not usually
one for New Year’s resolutions, but here it is.
Psalm 73 will be my psalm for
this year:
Truly God is good to (me-Rebekah), to such as are pure in heart. I must
keep that truth before me. To believe
that no matter what, He is good. The
psalmist then pours out his frustration, anger, hurt at the prosperity of the
wicked. They have life so easy, always
prosperous, no problems, getting away with “murder” (literally), bragging about
their wickedness, shaking their fists in God’s face, laughing at God and
defying Him blatantly. That hasn’t
changed in the last millennia or so.
The psalmist feels (as I, we often do) that his own walk of
integrity, of purity has been in vain.
He is greatly vexed, doesn’t understand and is angry with God. (It is comforting
to know we can pour out anger and frustration to God, at God and He allows it,
understands.) I too find it disconcerting, confusing, scary too as I read about
the infernal war in Syria that seems to be unending, read horrific testimonies
of precious believers persecuted, threatened beaten and imprisoned because they
take a stand for Jesus, hear of those who have lost everything for walking with
Him, children without parents, suffering everywhere….doesn’t God care, will He
act? Where is He? I wonder and agonize.
The writer admits it is too painful for him, he can’t get a
handle on it all. UNTIL, (thank God for the until) he goes into the house of
God, spends time in God’s presence, meditates on the final destiny of those who
commit atrocities, defying God. Only then
he understands; God will arise, it is a slippery path the wicked are on, they
will pay the consequences, God is not slumbering, only waiting, patiently until
the time to act. The psalmist now recognizes
his foolishness, and is vexed over his attitudes. It’s like he too has awakened from sleep, or
is now seeing through glass clearly where before all was clouded and shady. Now he can say-
Nevertheless I am
continually with You: You hold me by my right hand, You will guide me with Your
counsel and afterward You will receive me to glory.
Glorious truth, God knows our hearts, He understands and
does not condemn our doubts, even our rantings.
Whom have I in heaven
but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You,- cries
out the writer. My friend Mirna says we
read this part wrong, it is God speaking to us, “Nothing I desire on earth
beside you”, God desires me, I am His highest treasure!
My heart and my flesh may fail; but God (BUT GOD!!) is the strength of my heart and my portion forever….But it is good for me to draw
near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your
works.
That’s it, my New Year’s resolution, to desire God above all
else, to be near to God, to trust in Him, focus on Him. Then I will
proclaim, share and even shout about His wonderful deeds and about this amazing
God. But how am I to draw near to Him? Distractions,
problems, and sins get in the way. Doubts and fears such as the writer of this
poem describes. It is God who will do it.
I don’t even know how to “let Him” take charge, I try and try and fail
and fail, perhaps I’m trying too hard.
What is my part?
Be near to Him,
spend time with Him in His word, talking, listening. Have an attitude of prayer
throughout the day, turning my thoughts to Him, conversing with Him. If I did
that before I speak or act, I’d probably get into a lot less trouble and
relational difficulties!
Spending time in solitude with just God, no television,
internet, books, or even people to distract.
Go to a place where it is just God, a retreat at the beach, in the mountains
or maybe in a monastery!
Another way to be near to God is to see Him in others, focus
on family, beloved friends, brothers and sisters in Christ and those I meet as
I walk through life. To really see them
and hear them as God’s precious creation.
That is my resolution and goal for 2017, to be near to
Him. Make Him my desire, my chief joy,
like the pearl of great price, my greatest treasure. I know it won’t be easy, I
will trip up along the way. But my precious Lord, He alone knows my heart. I pray he will enable me, to draw near to Him,
to be gentler, kinder, patient with myself and others. I can’t do it alone, I
know, so pray with me that He will change my heart so that my doubts, fears,
worries and sins will fade in the light of HIs presence. Tune in next year to see how it turned out! Happy
New Year!
