Thoughts from The Bible: – 01-13-21

Thoughts from the Bible

Wednesday, 13 January 2021 13:08

New Beginnings
by Terry Broome

Each time we come to a New Year we are reminded of turning over a new leaf, starting over, new beginnings, New Year Resolutions. This past week we have come to such a point of new beginnings, and churches all over the world are announcing new work plans and new dreams for the future. These are good and they help us in our quest for renewal. This is in spite of the COVID Pandemic.

When we think of having a new opportunity with entry into a new year, we should remember the words of instruction by Joshua and his officers to Israel before crossing the Jordan River into the New Territory. “We have not passed this way before”
Joshua 3:3-5 (KJV) 3And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. 4Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. 5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

What a wonderful word of reassurance. Even though Israel had not passed that way before, by following God’s instructions carefully, they could look forward to the marvelous power of God in their lives: v. 5 “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”

You and I have a similar reassurance as we chart the uncharted paths of the rest of our lives. We are in such a position today. We “have not passed this way before.” God has given us a special gift of His grace to enable us to use each day what we have for His glory.

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV) 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God is at work with us and His power is at work within us to accomplish many wonderful things. Along with this promise of His power at work within us comes this reminder:

Luke 12:48 “. . .for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

We each must answer the question, “What will you do with what God has given you?” For us to have a genuine renewal in our work for the Lord, we often need more than just a resolve to do things which we probably will never get around to doing, but an actual revolution in which we actually pursue the goal, make the change! Happy New Year!

The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.