Happy New Year! It’s good to be here. So, are you ready for a new year? Many are the plans of mice and men who make plans but are sorely disappointed with their resolutions and are in need of help—days, sometimes hours into the new year—like my birdy friend:
What are you going to do differently with 2022 resolutions so that as soon as your feet hit the ground, you aren’t in trouble? You need a resolution solution. May I suggest: Don’t “do”; be. Matthew 24:44 does more than suggest. Christ commands us to “be” ready:
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matt. 24:44
Of all the great things to resolve for a new year—weight loss, career gain, relationship change—being prepared for the second coming of Christ should priority. This may be the year He returns. No one knows, but Christ makes imperative—readiness. But not any kind of approach to readiness will do. You have to “be”. The Greek verb “be” is ginesthe (γίνεσθε). It is an imperative, a command. It means “to cause to be, to become”. It’s root, ginomai, suggest a manifestation, a coming into being implying movement and growth. It’s not what you do, but who you are and who you are growing to be.
As regarding preparation for the second coming of Christ and His judgment, you should always be in a state of readiness. Like a servant looking for the return of his master—the context of Matthew 24:44—you want to be found doing what you are called to do. Be a servant of God all the time. So, you don’t get ready, you stay ready as a servant because that is who you “be".
Another verse that is helpful in resolution keeping is to Proverbs 19:21:
“Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand. Pro. 19:21
In Proverbs 19:21, we see the problem of man’s resolutions and the solution to resolutions. The problem is your heart can fail. The solution is hearing and heeding the good advice from God.
First, the resolutions of a man’s heart fail for a number of reasons. A man’s heart can be prideful.
The LORD abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished. Pro.16:5
King Saul’s pride led him to making self-serving sacrifices over obedience to God. It led to his dethronement (1Sam. 15:21).
A man’s heart can also be perverse.
The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble. Proverbs 17:20
Ananias, in Acts 5:1-11, thought it was a good plan to lie regarding property-sale proceeds he promised the first church. His deceit costs him his life.
Lasty, a man’s heart can be foolish.
A person’s folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the Lord. Pro.19:3
Samson foolish affections toward Delilah costs him public shame and his eyesight (Judges 16:1-20). To sum it up, a man’s heart can’t be trusted and must be guarded because it is at the center of his will (Prov. 23:7, Pro. 4:23). Our will does not always line up with God’s will.
Why do the resolutions (counsel) of God stand? In God’s word is God’s purpose. When you are in God’s purpose with your resolutions because you have heeded his counsel, your resolutions will stand.
The Lord works everything for its own ends, even the wicked for the day of disaster. Proverbs 16:4.
Even when evil tries to thwart your resolutions this year, they will find their legs and not falter.
Want to be ready for a new year with resolutions that stand the test of time, first, don’t get ready, stay ready doing the work as God’s servant. Second, hear and heed the counsel of God when making your resolutions. He will not lead you astray.
You won’t be like the husband who resolved:
in 2019: I will be a better job as husband to my wife Marge.
in 2020: I will not leave Marge.
in 2021: I will try for a reconciliation with Marge.
in 2022: I will try to be a better husband to Wanda.
Happy New Year!
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