Tis the season when we think about starting fresh as we begin a new year. People will make new goals and there will be new challenges as we turn the pages of the calendar. In many ways, the new year brings a new beginning, maybe even the thought of a “fresh start,” with the new year.
In Isaiah’s presentation of the “new covenant” he brings up a word from the Lord that includes God’s promise of a new beginning:
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) — 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
As Isaiah was blessed to see aspects of the new covenant blessings, Jeremiah amidst the devastation of Jerusalem, was able to look sensibly upon the present circumstances and still have hope as he considered the mercy or steadfast love of God that is new every morning.
Lamentations 3:21–23 (ESV) — 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The apostle Paul reminds us that anyone who is “in Christ” by the new birth is now a new creation. Consequently, the psalmist reminds us that God has brought us a new song, so he also reminds us to sing that new song as unto the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Psalm 40:3 (ESV) — 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 96:1 (ESV) — 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Are you ready for a new beginning? If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ you need to be reminded that you do not need a flip of the calendar to start afresh, God has given you that privilege and responsibility. Admittedly, there are times when we turn from following in the “new way” which in the Bible is actually called the “old paths” but new to us in that it’s different from the ways of the world and many times people refuse to walk in those old paths, consequently missing out on the rest they have for their souls, which may explain why so many people are so tired today.
Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV) — 16 Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
As a new person in Christ, there are new songs and we are told we need to apply ourselves at those – there are things we need to put off and those we need to put on.
Colossians 3:5–17 (ESV) — 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
It’s a new year with new opportunities as a new beginning. May this be the year of accelerated spiritual growth and maturity for you as you apply yourself to instruction from God in walking in this new way of life as you look forward to the dawning of the new day that shall never end.
Revelation 21:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
