Dear Readers
We are stepping into the New Year reminded of God’s promises of making all things new. God is preparing us for the blessings that he wants to give to those who love him. One of the ways that we can prepare ourselves for this New Year and all the possibilities that lie before us, is to be faithful in our walk with God. The first principle of walking with God is to meet him in his word daily. A short verse, or a long pericope, it doesn’t matter, make it a decision and faithful task to come to God and receive from him a word to strengthen and remind you of God’s power, purpose and plans for your life.
The watch word for today is taken from the Old Testament, from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapter Five Verse Three, “O Lord, do your eyes not look for truth?” The prophet is saddened by the situation that he sees in his country, and he wonders where he will find truth. Like Abraham who pleaded before God to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Jeremiah pleads with God and asks him to show him where will he find truth. He goes out and does not find it amongst the ordinary people, then he goes to the leaders and finds even more distortion and falseness. Ultimately Jeremiah says to God, a statement, wrapped up in the language of a question. He is assured that God sees and knows everything, truth will certainly be revealed. Even though this verse could fill us with anxiety, the contrary is high-lightes: God sees the truth and the truth will win the battle against untruth. A war is not won at the first battle. We must undertake the search for truth faithfully. As we start this year, let us cling to God’s faithfulness and his unfailing help for us. We will not win the battles of this year in the first few days. We are in preparation and we will only, once we look back at the end of this year, see how our faithfulness has been rewarded with blessings. Therefore, we approach the new and the unknown with faith and hope.
The doctrinal verse for today is taken from the Third Epistle of John, verse Five: Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brothers and the sisters, even though they are strangers to you. The Apostle John is known as the Beloved disciple. He also uses this address to those he writes to. This term “beloved’ reminds us that we are loved by God. Because we are loved, we can also love those whom God loves. We are no longer strangers, even though we do not know each other, for we know that we all stand before God as beloved children. We are called to pray for each other and intercede for each other, asking God’s blessing on his children in this world. Those who profess that they are his children, and those who will still come to this revelation. Let us continue to ask God to bless his church in this world, and for his truth and light to bring this world and her people together to experience God’s blessings of hope and peace in this world.
Father, we thank you that you reveal yourself to us through your Word and work in this world. Help us to follow you faithfully and trust you as you reveal your love to us. Amen.