From long and grim experience he knew that whatever a man’s plans might be, events can change them on the spur, and it paid to be ready.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Mountain Valley War)
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
–Romans 6:4 (NKJV)
——————————–
Welcome to 2023! Whatever 2022 was to you, it is now over. It is in the past, however, there may be some lingering consequences. I am going to start the year by finishing Psalm 88. It may be fitting for you in your situation. 2022 is past, but you may still need the Lord’s help to get you into 2023. “You may be feeling overwhelmed by your present situation. Go ahead and mourn with Psalm 88, but don’t stay in the pit. Pray to God, who is more than able to help you, enabling you to climb into a song of thanksgiving and praise.” (William Petersen)
11 — Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12 — Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 — But to You I have cried out, O LORD, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.
14 — LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?
15 — I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught.
16 — Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off.
17 — They came around me all day long like water; they engulfed me altogether.
18 — Loved one and friend You have put far from me, and my acquaintances into darkness. (NKJV)
What in the world am I writing this for the first Monday in the new year? It is to understand that throughout life the Psalmist knew sorrow and suffering just like you and me. Paul and Silas found themselves in the dungeon, but they sang anyway. We are to remember that whether down in the woes, or in the pit, or in the dungeon, or the slough of despond that the Lord is with us, He hears our prayers. “The problem with the pit lies in your feeling that this is the end.” (George O. Wood) No, 2022 is past, the new year signifies the beginning.
Preserve my life, so that I may declare your love and your faithfulness each and every day that I live (a little paraphrase of verse 11). Now is the day to praise Him for this is the day that He has given you. Proclaim His righteous deeds as you go through this new year. Part of our reason for living is to glorify Him. We are not immune from times of woe, suffering or discouragement, and we most likely will have some to one degree or another in 2023. However, in the midst of them we must turn to the Lord for encourage-ment and strength. Remember, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)
“I’ll praise Him while He lends me breath;
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.”
–Isaac Watts
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
–Romans 6:4 (NKJV)
——————————–
Welcome to 2023! Whatever 2022 was to you, it is now over. It is in the past, however, there may be some lingering consequences. I am going to start the year by finishing Psalm 88. It may be fitting for you in your situation. 2022 is past, but you may still need the Lord’s help to get you into 2023. “You may be feeling overwhelmed by your present situation. Go ahead and mourn with Psalm 88, but don’t stay in the pit. Pray to God, who is more than able to help you, enabling you to climb into a song of thanksgiving and praise.” (William Petersen)
11 — Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12 — Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 — But to You I have cried out, O LORD, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.
14 — LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?
15 — I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught.
16 — Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off.
17 — They came around me all day long like water; they engulfed me altogether.
18 — Loved one and friend You have put far from me, and my acquaintances into darkness. (NKJV)
What in the world am I writing this for the first Monday in the new year? It is to understand that throughout life the Psalmist knew sorrow and suffering just like you and me. Paul and Silas found themselves in the dungeon, but they sang anyway. We are to remember that whether down in the woes, or in the pit, or in the dungeon, or the slough of despond that the Lord is with us, He hears our prayers. “The problem with the pit lies in your feeling that this is the end.” (George O. Wood) No, 2022 is past, the new year signifies the beginning.
Preserve my life, so that I may declare your love and your faithfulness each and every day that I live (a little paraphrase of verse 11). Now is the day to praise Him for this is the day that He has given you. Proclaim His righteous deeds as you go through this new year. Part of our reason for living is to glorify Him. We are not immune from times of woe, suffering or discouragement, and we most likely will have some to one degree or another in 2023. However, in the midst of them we must turn to the Lord for encourage-ment and strength. Remember, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)
“I’ll praise Him while He lends me breath;
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.”
–Isaac Watts