New Beginnings
David Ince
As we reflect on 2020, we also look forward to 2021 and trust for a better year when amongst many things we can get back to church and once again worship our God and His son our Lord Jesus Christ together as a fellowship. How as an HBC family we have all missed these times but thankfully good communication has been maintained in a variety of ways and not least via ZOOM, although some days I have definitely felt ZOOMED OUT!
Maybe we are wondering whether life will ever be the same as we knew it – well inevitably COVID-19 will continue to impact in one way or another and working environments will certainly be different with more people working from home on a more permanent basis with occasional trips to the ‘office’.
Yes, in the last year we have all had to change or adapt, albeit in different ways. Gosh, how I have missed going to the shops – don’t think so! However, for many a lifeline was severed and in came ‘click and collect’ or ‘home deliveries’ or a queueing system where people wore a degree of camouflage in the form of face masks before they were allowed to enter the store and were requested to follow the arrows in a one-way system – of course IKEA were way ahead on this system which they adopted years ago – have you ever tried to backtrack in IKEA? – not a good idea! However, inevitably not everybody abided by the rules – clearly thinking they had some kind of immune system and publicly displaying their disregard for the safety of others. The very positive action taken by supermarkets was to provide a special time only for the elderly/vulnerable and NHS staff – what a debt of gratitude we owe to them for their continuing undaunted loving care and attention.
Also, amongst all this turmoil we can give thanks that a number of vaccines have been produced in record time – so well done the scientists/virologists. When I was much younger, I worked for a while at Burroughs Wellcome in Beckenham, Kent in the Virology Department making a variety of vaccines – but that is another story and not for now but I do recognise the devotion, dedication and skills of these people to work tirelessly in securing a vaccine.
Against this backdrop many thoughts have crossed my mind as follow: –
The one vital aspect that has not changed is our God and His Son – they never change – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Sadly, many lives have been lost and if they did not know Jesus as their Saviour they have lost them twice – I remember reading in Word for Today in November that referred to John 3:7 in respect of Nicodemus being told “You must be born again.” Of course, not physically but spiritually. The article went on to say “You can be born once and die twice, but if you’re born twice, you will only die once”. A catchy phrase that has remained with me and I trust it provides you with positive and encouraging thoughts.
As believers in our Lord Jesus Christ there’s one commitment we are called to keep, and that is to follow Him our entire lives, not just until the end of January or the end of this year. Put off your old self …. and put on the new self, created to be like God, in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
We need to be putting on this new self – monthly, daily, hourly and with every second that God gives us.
The New Year often begins with a lot of good intentions and of course the cynic says ‘they will not last’ and they may be right given the frailty of the human will.
However, we don’t start with ourselves, we start with God. God is committed to our flourishing (Jeremiah 29:11).
With a deep understanding Jesus shares in every aspect of our lives (Hebrews 4:15-16).
God’s love for us is unlimited (John 3:16 and 1 John 3:1).
Our God never fails or goes back on His promises and Jesus is the glorious ‘Yes’ to them all (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
As this New Year is still in its early stages the message again is for us to think more and focus more on God and all that He has done for us. In the end it is His intentions, His purposes that matter and they are good. Let us recognise that, absorb that and for that to be a reality.
In today’s environment there is the demand for ‘More for Less’. Targets are set which are often unrealistic in the surge for more, more production, more profit, especially in the light of reduced resources.
Indeed, many people face the challenge of working with limited resources. Equipped with less money, less time, dwindling energy and fewer helpers, but the workload remains the same or even increases.
There is a saying that sums up part of this predicament “More bricks, less straw”.
This then leads me to Exodus 4: 27-31 then 5: 1-13 which is entitled ‘Bricks Without Straw’.
The Israelites scoured the land to find supplies, while Pharaoh’s overseers beat them and pressured them to work harder.
The Israelites became so discouraged that they didn’t listen when God said through Moses, “I will rescue you …. And I will redeem you with an outstretched arm” – Exodus 6: 6.
Although the Israelites refused to hear God’s message, God was still guiding and directing Moses, preparing him to speak to Pharaoh. God remained firmly on Israel’s side – at work behind the scenes.
Like the Israelites, we can become so downhearted, so disillusioned that we ignore encouragement.
In good times it is easy to praise and thank God or maybe even forget to do that but in dark times, it’s also comforting to remember that God is our deliverer (words echoed by the psalmist in Psalm 40:17).
God is always at work on our behalf, even if we can’t see what He is doing.
Let us remember that times of trouble are times for trust.
The Israelites had become weary, weak, wounded, worried, wondering and wandering.
Maybe that is how we feel sometimes – maybe just one of those things or on a bad day all of them.
Well, let us see what the Bible has to say to guide us through these situations.
If you are weary, may you receive the Lord’s refreshing: They feast in the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Psalm 36: 8-9.
If you are weak, may you receive the Lord’s strength: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2.
If you are wounded, may you receive the Lord’s healing: He has sent me to bind up (or comfort) the broken-hearted. Isaiah 61:1.
If you are worried, may you receive the Lord’s peace: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. [We must not allow ourselves to be agitated and disturbed or permit ourselves to be fearful or intimidated or unsettled.] John 14:27.
If you are wondering, may you receive the Lord’s clarity: Surely you desire the truth in the inner parts (or being); you teach me wisdom in the inmost place (that is in my heart). Psalm 51:6.
If you are wandering, may you receive the Lord’s direction: I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16.
Whatever this year holds for each of us let us move forward in complete and utter trust in our God and in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer as we start a New Year - 2021
Dear God and Father as we turn to you in prayer through your Son the Lord Jesus Christ
- Help us to appreciate more that earnest prayer is powerful.
- Help us to pray more and in our quiet times draw closer to you.
- Help us to be even more loving, gracious, encouraging, patient and joyful.
- Help us to ensure our lives are free from bitterness, spite or resentment.
- Help us to mature even more in our faith, spiritual development and in your service.
- Help us to make good use of the time that you have given us and in so doing discard those things which belong to this world and not yours.
- Help us to sacrifice and dedicate our lives more to you.
- Help us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and thereby conduct our lives in accordance with your will.
Amen
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Lyrics
SONG 1 LORD, FOR THE YEARS
Lord, for the years
your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us,
cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us,
pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years,
we bring our thanks today.
Lord, for that word,
the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts
and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains,
rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word,
receive your people’s praise.
Lord, for our land
in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by
pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old,
for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land,
be pleased to hear our prayer.
Lord, of our world
where men disown and doubt you,
loveless in strength,
and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless,
lost indeed without you;
Lord of the world,
we pray that Christ may reign.
Lord, of ourselves,
in living power remake us
self on the cross
and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us,
for the future take us;
Lord of our lives,
to live for Christ alone.
SONG 2 IN CHRIST ALONE
In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand