CHRISTIAN, consider this new epoch of time, unfold a new page of your yet
unwritten history, with the full, unwavering conviction that God is faithful;
that in all the negotiations, transactions, and events of the unknown future, in
all the diversified and fluctuating phases of experience through which you may
pass, it will be your mercy to do with Him of whom it is said, "It is impossible
for God to lie."
Oh, take this precious truth into your heart, and it will shed
a warm sunlight over all the landscape of your yet shadowy existence. "He abides
faithful: He cannot deny Himself." Standing yet within the solemn vestibule of
this new and portentous year, could our fluttering hearts find repose in a more
appropriate or sweeter truth than the Divine faithfulness of Him, "with whom
there is no variableness neither shadow of turning"?
As a new period of time
slowly rises from the depths of the unknown and mysterious future, shrink we
from its stern and solemn duties, its bosomed sorrows, its deep and impenetrable
decrees? Why shrink we? Infinite resources unveil their treasures upon its
threshold. Christ's atoning merits confront our vast demerit.
Christ's boundless
grace confronts our deep necessities. Christ's promised presence confronts our
sad and gloomy loneliness. Jesus thus filled with grace so overflowing, with
love so tender, with sympathy so exquisite, with power so illimitable, with
resources so boundless, with a nature so changeless, stands before us and says
to each trembling heart, "Fear not!" We commence a new march under his convoy.
We prepare for a new conflict with his armor. We renew our pilgrimage with fresh
supplies of 'angels' food,' affording nourishment for the present and pledges
for the future. For that future do not be needlessly, unbelievingly anxious.
It
is all in God's hands. He would that you should live each day upon Him as a
little child, simple in your faith, unshaken in your confidence, clinging in your
love. Let each morning's petition be ever linking it with the precious name of
Jesus; "My Father! give me this day my daily bread." Then shall the promise be
fulfilled, and its fulfillment shall be the immediate answer to your prayer.
And let us, on this birthday of the year, renew each his personal and solemn dedication to God; supplicating forgiveness for the past, and invoking grace to help in every time of need for the future. The atoning blood of Jesus! How solemn and how precious is it at this moment! Bathed in it afresh, we will more supremely, unreservedly, and submissively yield ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead. We will travel to the open fountain, wash, and be clean. Christ loves us to come as we are. We may approach all clothed with shame for the past, but not a reproving look will dart from His eye, nor an upbraiding word will breathe from his lips.
And let us, on this birthday of the year, renew each his personal and solemn dedication to God; supplicating forgiveness for the past, and invoking grace to help in every time of need for the future. The atoning blood of Jesus! How solemn and how precious is it at this moment! Bathed in it afresh, we will more supremely, unreservedly, and submissively yield ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead. We will travel to the open fountain, wash, and be clean. Christ loves us to come as we are. We may approach all clothed with shame for the past, but not a reproving look will dart from His eye, nor an upbraiding word will breathe from his lips.
[Oswald Chambers]
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Deuteronomy 7:9 ... Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 33:25 ... Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
James 1:17 ... Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Deuteronomy 33:25 ... Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
James 1:17 ... Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Psalm 42:8 ... Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Jeremiah 33:3 ... Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ❤
Jeremiah 33:3 ... Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ❤
