As a new year begins it is usually a time to reflect on the past year's triumphs and failures, gains and losses, and to look ahead and try to do better. In our planning, how much time do we spend thinking about things that are spiritual. We want to plan ahead financially and otherwise but there are other considerations that need to be taken into account. Some folks have a problem with that. There is an increasing spiritual insecurity when it comes to believing in God. We want to "know" for certain that God is out there. In light of some things that are happening in the world there is a growing occupation with angels and their work.
There is a growing fascination with others who have gone on and some attempt to prove that those loved ones are still with us in one way or another. God, however, did not see fit to give us visual, auditory or other proof of his existence other than the word that He has given us.
This was something that was stated to the Hebrews as Moses prepared them for his own departure. " Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven." (Deut 4.15-19). Although God had manifested Himself on mount Sinai, there was no image that the Hebrews could see. The reason for this was that God knew that they would have created an image, an idol, which would have reduced the image of God to something material and worldly.
God did not see fit to provide the visual proof of who He was or that He existed. They had seen the things that had been done in the land of Egypt in the great plagues that had been brought on the Egyptians, the parting of the Red Sea, the manna in the wilderness and the law that had been given on the mountain. In addition to this Moses pointed out the care that God had taken to preserve the people as they had wandered in the wilderness. Moses states, " Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years." (Deut 8.4). The people had been blessed by God through his care for them.
Moses then reminded the people of the most important thing that they should remember. " And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." (Deut 8.3). This is the same statement that Christ used to refute the temptation of Satan to turn stones into bread and eat (Matt 4.4). Do we believe that God cares for us and blesses us? Is a lack of what we want causing us not to obey God, or to devote more of our lives to Him? Are we so wrapped up in the physical needs, or wants rather, that we cannot "see" that there is a God and that He cares for us? We need to remember that we have the same promise from God, that we will have what we need. Peter states, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Pet 5.6-7).
As we look ahead to a new year, as we have done perhaps many times before we need to remember the blessings that we have received from God. We need to take note of the things that we perhaps have not seen as blessings, being caught up in the wants of life and not focusing on that which is needful. We need to remember the words of Christ when he stated, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt 6.33). We also need to remember that there is a promise that has been made to all who serve God. Isaiah states, " For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." (Isa 64.4). Are you a Christian? If not then why not? What is standing in your way of believing and obeying the gospel. Are you a Christian? How much of our time have we spent not doing those things that we should? How much of our planning for the new year have we spent in thinking of what we need to be doing, or doing better? What is standing in our way?
TLC