Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Wednesday, 05 January 2022 06:47

A New Year’s Resolution
by Terry Broome

Time is moving ever so quickly and we’re reminded of the words of James in the New Testament: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).
The older I get, the more I realize the urgency of “redeeming the time” God allows us to have. Each year well-meaning people make New Year’s Resolutions to be better, do better, and do more than the year before. I suppose the most frequently spoken resolution is to lose weight this year.

I recently heard one man say on national television that his resolution was to “quit lying.” When asked if he lied he admitted that he did. It turned out he had lied to his girlfriend about where they were going (to this very same television broadcast) and about not being able to get engaged, all so that he could surprise her with a proposal of marriage on national television. The resolution was a part of the plot to set up the proposal. While the situation was humorous, sadly, it made light of a very serious matter — resolving, purposing in our hearts to do better! Oh, that we had only accomplished a portion of the grand resolutions of yesteryear!

We read of an Old Testament character by the name of Daniel who “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself (Daniel 1:8). Now that’s a resolution worth thinking about. “Resolved, that I will not defile myself this year with the works of the flesh.” “Resolved, that I will give myself to Him who died for me.” The hymnist writes:
“I am resolved no longer to linger,
charmed by the world’s delight.
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
these have allured my sight.
I will hasten to Him;
hasten so glad and free.
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.”

May we all resolve with the writers of old that we will give ourselves totally to the work of the Master. “I’ll live for Him who died for me.” May this be the year that those who have not begun this New Life in Christ actually carry out the commencement of this resolution. May those who have begun this journey continue to walk close to our God as we follow in the steps of Jesus.
May we all resolve to have a New Year’s REVOLUTION! Revolt against sin. Start a revolution of life changing choices centered around Jesus. Lead a revolution before friends and family that draws them to look to Jesus as the “author and finisher” of their faith. May we all have a Happy and Blessed New Year!!
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.