Moses required from the Lord, “Teach us to number our days, so we may gain a heart of wisdom.” [Psalm 90:12] Time is a gift we receive from a good, gracious, loving Heavenly Father. If we want to walk in His ways this new year, we need to learn to use our time wisely.
Ephesians 5:15 – 16 states in the AMPL Bible, “Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honour, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.”
We CAN experience joy, even when hardships face us, or the world deteriorates around us. We can only experience this kind of joy by “looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” [Heb. 12:2] Jesus knew that the pain and suffering of the Cross would lead to our redemption and spiritual freedom, also to Eternity. His joy can become ours when we seek Resurrection power and embrace Christ fully! We can manage our circumstances because in doing so we get to know the God who mercifully ordains them for our joy.
Christ’s love and our faith in Him enables us to overcome doubts, temptations, difficulties and to be victorious! “This is the love of God; that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are NOT burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.” [1 John 5:3-4]
We are never alone. Christ’s eyes are always on us. In 1908 Minnie Louise Haskins wrote a poem called the “Gate of the Year” which has become famous. I would like to quote the following part – “And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. THAT shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
Thank You Precious Jesus, that we can place our Hands into Your beautiful, nail-scarred hands as we walk into and through this new year. Thank You that You keep us safe, secure, and even joyful when our trust is in You. Please help us to focus on You, on Heaven and Eternity where You prepare a place for us, to live with You forever and ever. We love and worship and adore You King kings, our Good Shepherd and Saviour!
Myrtle Turunen