2012

by Micky Galloway

We are beginning yet another new year. As we grow older, it is important that we look back and take inventory of what has happened to us in the past and what we propose for the future. Certainly this is more serious than such things as taxable assets, hair loss or weight gains. Some of us over the past year have enjoyed the birth of children into our families, some have experienced sickness or the loss of a loved one. Some have obeyed the gospel, others have taken a stand for the truth that has come at great personal sacrifice. Others have struggled with sin and faithfulness to God. The passing of another year causes us to reflect on what we have done or left undone and often we make resolutions of things we would like to change. This past year has had meaning to us all. Let us begin this new year by evaluating our priorities and appraising our spiritual condition.

David prayed to God to help him and the people realize that they did not have a perpetual lease on life. He prayed, “So teach us to number our days…” (Psalms 90:12). No moment can be recalled or reclaimed. Nor can it be returned to the clock or the calendar. Peter said, “for all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass, The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away” (I Peter 1:24). James described life as a “vapor that appeareth for a little time…” (James 4: 14). The conscious apprehension of approaching death and the brevity of time makes us more careful and sober in our thinking about the seriousness of sin (Ezekiel 18 :20) and our opportunities to serve (Matthew 25:14-46). Of a certainty, both death and an accounting for sin are appointed (Hebrews 9:27). We are commanded to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:15-16), literally to buy up opportunity. We have time and opportunity NOW (II Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time to teach our children, to worship and serve God faithfully. During the past year, a number of dramatic events have reminded us of this sobering fact.

If we set our priorities right in this year, it will solve a lot of problems before they develop. We will not have problems with church members who forsake the assembling, neglect Bible study, fail to give as prospered or allow the slightest things to interfere with their service to the Lord. We will not have problems associated with “withdrawing ourselves” (II Thessalonians 3:6), marriage problems or divorce (cf. Matthew 19:3-9). When other things present a conflict or controversy, it is understood by all who have their priorities right that serving God takes priority over all else. That would go a long way toward curing a lot of ills among God’s people, including slack attendance on Sunday night or Wednesday night, lack of Bible study or simply going through the formality of prayer. When our priorities are right there will be no question about what we will be, where we will be and what we will be doing when brethren meet for worship (cf. Hebrews 10:25; Titus 2:14; 3:1) or what our individual resolutions are. Paul said, “Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing (I do), forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Parents can solve a lot of problems with their children if they will, by example and teaching, help them develop the right priorities in life. This is something we get to do only once, for if we do it wrong, then we will be like the Israelites who failed to teach their children. “There arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Brethren, the price of neglect is too high! We must spend some time arranging our priorities.

As we begin a new year, let us…

Count our blessings. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:17). From birth to death, we have been amazingly blessed. In Christ, our blessings are complete (Ephesians 1:3). As the year ends, remember to thank God for His rich blessings (cf. Colossians 4:2).

Remember that evil is active in the world. Satan is described as a “roaring lion … seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Though Satan has been bound and destined for eternal demise, he continues to exert his influence and power, blinding “the minds of the unbelieving” (II Corinthians 4:4) and devouring the souls of men. Be realistic. We face a formidable foe. Knowing our enemy does not sleep, we must continue to be sober and watchful.

Remember that this world is not our home. Paul said our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). This is why the Christian will lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). We earnestly anticipate a home where there will be no pain, no death, no tears (Revelation 21:4). We, like righteous Abraham, look “for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

Remember the heroes that are all around us, that give us courage to endure (cf. Heb. 11:39-12:2) . We have seen ordinary people over the past year do extraordinary things. May our faith also enable us to see the countless brethren of the past and present who, against tremendous forces, remained faithful to God. Thank God for our brethren (Romans 1:8)! Often, under the stresses of life we despair, until these heroes embolden us to press onward (cf. Philippians 1:12-18). Sometimes we need a trip out into the desert to be reminded that our problems are not the worst.

And may every Christian, remember to live for God every day of the new year, and every year, as long as life is granted in the flesh.

May God richly bless each of you in 2012. May we all draw ever closer to God and each other in truth, in faith, in hope, and in love.