I am high-tech on most things these days and am amazed at what I have had to learn in the past few years in order to do what I do. (See, you CAN 'teach an old dog new tricks'.) This is especially amusing when I think about starting out as a secretary on a manual typewriter in the early 60s. (Many of you won't even know what that is--ask your parents!!)
However, there is one thing on which I am still very 'low-tech'. On the wall in the breakfast room end of my kitchen, just to the right of my computer screen hangs a real calendar with 'blocks' about an inch square for each day of the month. That is my 'brain'. EVERYTHING gets posted there -- meetings, appointments, birthdays, sometimes weather notes, etc. My daughter says is it almost like a diary.
If it does not get posted, it does not happen. I know, I know... I could have all this in my computer, but it would not be the same. I can glance at this calendar and see the whole month at the time and know exactly what is supposed to happen and turn the page for the next month.
A few weeks ago I purchased my calender for 2010. When I opened it the days and months were blank. On Friday morning we will see the start of this New Year. None of us know that these days will bring, but we DO know:
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:15-17
Last week I sat down and transferred to this calendar all the annual dates that needed to be recorded, adding meetings I already knew about. As time goes on, many more activities will be added. Those are my plans and my commitments. They could be interrupted at any time by the unexpected. All that is the unknown.
What IS known is that "Jesus, the Messiah, is the same yesterday and today-and forever!" Hebrews 13:8 In addition "the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end." Deuteronomy 11:12b. That is our security.
We also know that we are commanded to pray for our leaders: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
One of the reasons we should do this is: He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 2 Samuel 23:3.
And finally, we KNOW that we are CALLED to be faithful to the task set before us, especially in the perilous days in which we live: "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9
"If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a small chance of survival. There may even be a worse case: you may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Winston Churchill
Included below is a challenge and the Psalmist Resolutions. I hope you will find these helpful as we enter this new decade.
Many Blessings
Bobbie
A CHALLENGE TO THINK ABOUT IN THE NEW YEAR:
What is in my hand that God can use?
What is in my heart that could keep Him from being able to use me?
The Psalmist Resolutions
1. Psalm 119
30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD ;
2. Psalm 119
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word
3. Psalm 119
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands because I love them. 48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.
4. Psalm 119
63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
5. Psalm 119
75 I know, O LORD , that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
6. Psalm 119
114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
7. Psalm 119
128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.
8. Psalm 119
173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
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Most Christians have an abundance of material blessings to count at the end of the year for which to thank the Lord. Even if they have none of these, however, God has crowned the year with goodness and favor, with lovingkindness and tender mercies, with grace and glory and honor and, best of all His own presence.
Psalm 65
11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 5
12 For surely, O LORD , you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
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As we stand on the threshold of a new year, may this prayer of faith and anticipation be ours:
O Lord God, who has called us, Your servants,
To ventures of which we cannot see the ending.
By paths as yet untrodden,
And through perils unknown,
Give us faith to go out with good courage,
Not knowing where we go
But only that Your hand is leading us
And Your love is supporting us.
