A New Year Is Dawning

“Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.”

Happy New Year! The 2007 calendar pages have all been turned and it is time once again to begin a brand new year filled with new experiences, new opportunities, and new challenges. In other words, it’s time for a new start. This new year provides a needed time for each person to get alone with God and remember the blessings of the year gone by, rethink the priorities and commitments of life, and refocus on the will of the Lord Jesus Christ for one’s life.

Remember. There is a need in every person’s life to stop and remember, stop and reflect, stop and recount the blessings of the Lord. Remember His promise in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Remember the Lord’s assurance in John 10:28-29 of the blessed security of being held in the strong hand of the Father. Jesus says, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

Remember the food the Lord provided this past year. Remember the nightly rest and sleep which refreshed body, mind, and soul. Remember the countless material blessings which provided for the needs of life, even enough to be a blessing to others through generous giving to meet their needs.

Remember the love expressed by friends and family. Remember special moments that have already become precious memories. Remember laughter together with others.

In this time of remembrance, be sure to thank the Lord for a blessed year. Thank Him for His provision. Thank Him for His presence, love, and care. Pray this prayer of thanksgiving with the Psalmist, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:1-5,22)

Rethink. A new year is the time to take inventory of priorities, commitments, schedules, and life. It’s time to rethink what is being done on a day by day basis. What needs to begin. What needs to end. More than New Year’s resolutions, which have little impact on life, this rethinking of life looks deeper into the heart of one’s existence. It is time to re-ask the “life” questions, “Why am I here?”, “Where am I going?”, “What has God called me to do?”, “What difference am I making for the kingdom of God?” This rethinking goes to the heart of who a person is, more than just what a person does.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

The Lord Jesus Christ, speaking of the difference between the outward actions of a person and their inner heart, says in Matthew 15:7-8, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”


Refocus. Just as a person periodically checks his or her glasses for proper focus, so the new year is a time to refocus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the course of a year there are many distractions that take one’s eyes off the Lord. It is easy to wander off onto what seems to be the right path and become lost and disoriented in life. The Bible helps bring life back into clear focus.

Jesus said of the focus of life, “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

For proper focus in life, Jesus Christ must be central and number one. Seeking His kingdom, His purpose, and His direction determines the purpose and direction of life. To do this, one must spend time with Jesus. The following guidelines will keep focus on Him:

During the first hour of each day spend a consistent amount of time in prayer and Bible reading.

On the first day of each week commit to worship, study, and fellowship in a Bible-believing church.

Give the first dime of each dollar back to the Lord in grateful recognition and thanksgiving for the financial resources He has given.

The New Year is a time to get alone with God to remember, rethink, and refocus. Have a blessed 2008 by following the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be,
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.”
Song by Frances R. Havergal, 1874