A New Start is Coming
And so we come to the end of another year. A year like no other we have ever had. There have been real struggles for us this year due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. It has been a year of quarantine, isolation, and wearing masks. Sports teams have played to empty stadiums or a small fraction of those that are usually filling their seats. Colleges and secondary schools have been using distance learning instead of being in a classroom together. Some churches have live streamed their services as they remained closed. Traveling to different states and countries has been limited. The economy in the United States was prospering but sadly many businesses closed and will never be opened again. People have worked from their homes instead of going to offices.
And then we had an election for the next leader of the free world. Accusations are flying all over the place and at the time of this writing, President Trump has not yet conceded.
And through all of these things, we must keep focusing on the fact that God is still on the throne. He has not abdicated. He has not forgotten us. But too many have not made Him the Lord of their lives and things the Bible speaks against are being endorsed as right.
One of the best things we can all do is remember the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14. This was said about the nation of Israel to Solomon by the Lord. If He shut up the heavens so there is no rain, sends the locust or pestilence, then if the people, “...who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Thus, the same thing would be true for us today as well. When we are trying to follow the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, then God will hear and heal us as well.
As we are about to enter a new year, it is important for everyone to turn to God. If you have never obeyed His teaching from the New Testament, now is the time to do so. If you have forgotten God in your life, then now is the time to return to Him. What a way to start the new year! Let’s give it a try.