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Regardless of when you hear this, the fact is that the present is always a good time to be preparing for the future.
2 Corinthians 4:16 – Even if it is March, there is time to start the things you need to be working on.
The top 13 New Years’ resolutions include things like, lose weight, quit smoking, take a trip, etc. Most New Year’s resolutions tend to be at least somewhat self-centered. Is that a problem?
Isaiah 14 – Satan says “I will ascend into heaven.” This was a resolution that Satan was putting forth for himself. He had plans, and goals, and dreams.
Often our resolutions are aimed at benefiting us or improving our lot in life. They are often pride-based, and that isn’t God’s way for us.
David is a good example of making resolutions that please God. He also made some really boneheaded decisions and did some things that weren’t in line with God’s desires.
God knows everything and He is everywhere. These two ideas are too big to fit inside of a building, or a universe. This is a great truth to teach our children and to know ourselves. A frightening thing for sinners, but a huge comfort for saints.
Psalm 139:1-24 – This lovely Psalm describes how God knows all about us, no matter where we are or what we are doing. He wants to help us, and improve us, and mold us into His image.
When God is holding you firmly with His hand there isn’t a lot of wiggle room. This is great if we aren’t trying to have our own way, but if we are trying to get our own way it isn’t something we like.
God has thoughts about your way of life, He has plans for you that are good! God has spent time in each of us, He has invested time in thinking about us and planning each of our lives.
Psalm 51 – This is a Psalm that David wrote at a very low point in his life. Nathan had just confronted him with his sin with Bathsheba, and the fact that he was a murderer.
After David recognizes the awfulness of his sin he says in verse 10 “Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.” Once we acknowledge who God is, and that He knows all about us, and we humbly ask Him to work within us… that is when He can start with a humble person and build something beautiful.
Whoever you are, humility before God is where God wants us to be.