IT’S A NEW YEAR DAY
“It is of the Lord's mercies
that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
I finished an annual “reading through the Bible" yesterday, January 11, 2015. I try to read through the complete Bible most years. Sometimes I read straight through; sometimes I read chronologically; sometimes I read an Old Testament selection, New Testament selection, Psalm, and Proverb daily. I follow some kind of reading plan to keep me on track.
Actually, most of the time over the past year, I listened to the wonderful words as read to me via my Bible app, which is something I had never done before. I enjoy hearing the Word read. It is powerful!
You may think I finished late, a week and half into this New Year, but actually I started on January 12, 2014, so I finished right on time. Last year, for some reason, I was unable to start on January 1, but I decided not to write off the whole year (which may sound extreme, but has happened in the past). On January 12, I thought, Why not start today?
Today may not be a new year, but it is a new day. A day to try again. A mini do-over. My pastor reminded us of this the other day when he pointed out we should focus more on new days than new years. God’s compassions, after all, are “new every morning,” as this beloved hymn reminds us:
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
1.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my
Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
2.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
3.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Ninety-two years have passed since this hymn was written by Thomas O. Chisholm (words) and William M. Runyan (music), but the words ring true as ever. As we begin new
years and new days, God remains constant, unchanging, faithful.
Think About It
Ask yourself:
- Is there something you planned to do this year but haven’t yet started? It’s not too late. It’s a new day!
- Are you looking for a Bible reading plan? Check out https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/ or look at a Bible app for your phone.
- Are you discouraged about past failures? Remember that more important than a new year or a new day is the fact that because God extends new compassion and mercy daily, WE can be new in Christ every day: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) See Acts 3:19, Romans 6:4, Romans 8:9-11, and Acts 2:38-39.
May you be new in Christ this day!
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me. I love hearing from you!
Blessings!
Annette
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