A New Year…Unfailing Promises…A Greater Resolve tagged: , ,

A New Year…Unfailing Promises…A Greater Resolve

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Are you making a New Year’s resolution? I am. But before I share them with you, allow me to recap some thoughts of 2007. I’ve contemplated this post today for well over a month. When I saw that I was on the calendar for the first of the New Year, I began to pray about what God would have me say.When Geoff and I first talked about sbc IMPACT! back in August and where he wanted it to go, I was excited. I actually gave him the name, sbc IMPACT!. I wanted to be a part of something that would make an impact on Southern Baptists in a positive way. I was hopeful for a discussion forum on subjects that stimulated conversations to lead us onward and upward in our walk of faith. I’d seen so much of the opposite in SBC blogs that I truly joined Geoff in wanting to present something worthy of our Savior, Lord and King. This is one of the reasons I suggested the daily devotional I promised to write to compliment sbc IMPACT! on our sub-site, DailyIMPACT. That one has not been easy for me but I wanted to contribute daily to the encouragement and focus on our Lord, so I’ve kept on each day even though less than 10% of our regular readership here even visit the post. Why? Because I believed God wants me to do it. My ministry is writing.

That said….

I’ve seen a lot of things in the self-professed Christian blogosphere this past year. Ridicule. Spew. Gossip. Irritation. Accusation. Condemnation. Recrimination. Misunderstandings. Mistakes. Mis-interpretations. And venom. Sad. None of this worthy of our King.

However, there has been just as much goodness, praise, encouragement and edification–infact, more so. But then, I look for the latter, not the former. I have found friends even among those in disagreement with my thoughts on a given topic. I’ve encountered disrespect from folks who simply do not know me. I’ve found folks who presume and assume with nothing to back up their presumptions and assumptions but their own thinking—and they consider that valid enough to present it as truth. Scary. But not imposingly so. Nor does it cripple my ability to reason or deter my quest for greater understanding.

I have a thing about blogs. I don’t take them too seriously. I take topics seriously. But I don’t take badgering, vitriol, harassment, chiding or chastisement seriously. That is because my self-worth is not based upon another’s validation of my viewpoint. And when someone demeans my personality, character or misrepresents what I say, I do what I can to correct them, but after that, I leave the judgment to the Lord and the readers of my words.

Since 2006, I have watched popular blogs dissolve into rhetorical impotency. I’ve watched some bloggers rise to greater respect among bloggers who once disliked them. I’ve witnessed some bloggers lose credibility among their followers and further alienate their dissenting voices. I’ve seen new blogs born and old blogs die.

What does the future hold?

In the year that Moses died, Joshua was made leader of a nation. Think of it. You’ve watched a great man of God lead over a million people through the wilderness and to the edge of the Jordan River—just beyond the promised land. The very man you followed is now dead. And you are chosen by God to take His people into the future. You are the man of the hour. How do you react? What goes through your mind? Are you intimidated by the prospect? Are you fearful? Do you think yourself able?

God promised Joshua “Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given you, as I promised Moses”. Joshua 1:3. He assured him, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” Vs.5.

God knew exactly what needed to be said to Joshua to prepare him for what he was to do in this new year of his life. He commanded, “Be strong and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land…”. Vs 6. This must have been met with a shadow of fear in Joshua because the Lord repeated that exhortation, saying, “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left that you may prosper wherever you go.” Vs.7

Perhaps the thought passed through Joshua’s mind of the stiff-necked obstinacy of Israel and the way the difficulties they endured due to their disbelief and sin. Perhaps he felt his words could not measure up to those of Moses. Maybe he thought he’d be rebuked, misunderstood, rejected.

Nevertheless, the Lord told him to be sure to speak the Law of Moses, to meditate upon it continually so he’d be able to observe and do all that was written in it. Indeed, Joshua must have had some self-doubt; a bit of fear must have coursed through his veins. Why else would the Lord have found it necessary to tell him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Vs. 9

God made promises to Joshua. He required obedience. But He assured Joshua would never be without Him and he would prosper. God makes the same promise to us. He expects us to follow His Word. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. And unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, our efforts will come to naught. You can count of the unfailing promises of God. He is with you. He will give you the words to say that will lead His people forward.

My resolutions for 2008 are simple. In them I have a greater resolve to follow God’s Word. I do not want to deviate from it. I seek to so fill my mind with the Word that the Word is manifested in all I say and do. I seek not to judge, but to remove the timber from my own eyes. I seek to daily look into my heart and ask God to cleanse me of any leaven of guile, deceit, unfaithfulness or pride. I am resolved to commit that which I have in monetary blessings, earthly possessions and Spiritual gifts unto Him to bring others to a saving knowledge of His Son. I vow to use the talents I receive to bring comfort, encouragement, consolation and hope to others. And in every way I will seek to be a peacemaker in whatever stream I may find myself afloat. I will do my best to be an instrument of contribution to anyone’s post. Should the Lord lead me to exhort another, I do pray my words will be so waxed with kindness, gentleness and patience that they will be received in the love with which I offer them.

And I shall pray daily for whomever I come in contact with in the blogworld (or daily walk)–be it friend or stranger—one in agreement or disagreement—whether treated kindly or unkindly. And my prayer will be that God’s grace will be sufficient to meet their needs and abound.

May this year greet you with the choicest of blessings and the finest manifestations of Christ’s love.   selahV