Worthwhile New Year's Resolutions

The Lord has blessed us to see another year go by. Every new year brings new challenges with it.  I remember back in 1999, the world was standing on the brink of a new millennium and living in fear.  Many people were afraid of the ‘Y2K computer bug’ that was threatening to shut down electricity and water utilities that are dispensed automatically by computers around the world.  Others were afraid their Social Security checks that come automatically every month would not be printed and sent.  Many banks around the world were afraid they would not have enough cash to meet requested withdrawals, etc.  But God brought us through and we survived it! 

In 2020, we were hit with the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. A public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization that included travel restrictions, lockdowns, business restrictions and closures, mask mandates, and testing of the infected. Everyone was quarantined at home and millions of people died around the world.  It was a horrible mess that started with an outbreak in Wuhan, China.  But God brought us through it and now it is 2026. 

What will this new year hold?  Perhaps you are one of those people that make New Year’s resolutions.  You know those promises we make to eat less, exercise more, shape up, slim down, etc.  The fact is that only 55% of Americans keep their New Year’s resolutions for one month, 40% for six months, and only 19% for two years. I don’t want to discourage anyone but maybe we should make resolutions that are worthwhile...perhaps those would be easier for us to keep!

In the 1700s, the American revivalist preacher Jonathan Edwards made five resolutions in his youth which he kept throughout his life: 1.  Live with all my might while I do live (he died at age 55).  2. Never lose one moment of time, but improve it in the most profitable way possible.  3.  Never do anything I should despise or think meanly of in another.  4. Never do anything out of revenge.  5.  Never do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the

last hour of my life.  Now those are resolutions we can live (and die) by!

Several years ago, Everett Melton Garrett wrote this New Year’s blessing:  “During the coming year, may you have: enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you strong; enough sorrow to keep you human; enough hope to keep you happy; enough failure to keep you humble; enough success to keep you eager; enough friends to give you comfort; enough faith in God and courage in yourself to banish your depression; enough money to meet your needs; and enough determination to make each day a better day than yesterday!”

This year, we can also take our inspiration from some of the great heroes of faith in the Bible.  Like Enoch--we can walk in daily fellowship with our Heavenly Father.  Like Abraham-- we can trust implicitly in God.  Like Job--be patient under all circumstances.  Like Joseph--turn our backs on all seductive advances.  Like Moses--choose righteousness rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin.  Like Caleb and Joshua--refuse to be discouraged regardless of the odds against us.  Like Gideon--advance, even though friends are few.  Like David-- lift up our eyes to heaven from which comes our help.  Like Jehoshaphat-- prepare our hearts to seek the Lord.  Like Daniel—pray to God at all times and in all places.  Like Andrew-- strive to lead others to Christ.  Like Stephen-- manifest a forgiving spirit toward all who seek our hurt.  Like Paul-- forget those things that are behind us and press forward. 

By God’s grace we have been given a brand-new year... and whatever it holds for us-- let’s live it to its fullest!

Rev. Doug Johnson, Senior Pastor, Lexington First Assembly of God in Lexington, KY.

www.LexingtonFirst.org