My Reasoning about Resolutions

 

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:13

The end of 2015 will be tomorrow and the following day will be the beginning of 2016. The end to an old year and the beginning of a new year. Revelation 22 makes reference to the Lord being the beginning and the end. I find it interesting to relate this scripture verse to this time of the calendar year. Can I correlate these beginnings and endings?

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Making New Year’s resolutions is a common practice during this season of the year. After reading Proverbs 16, I want to consider New Year’s resolutions from a different perspective. This year, rather than my choosing what resolutions I want for my life, I am allowing the Lord to inspire my resolutions. Ultimately, if the Lord is the one to direct my steps, I will benefit from allowing Him to plan my ways. God has created me with a freewill to make my own choices but I will be wise to yield to His will. I want to follow His leading.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

This verse reveals my shortcomings. If the Lord’s thoughts and ways are so much better than mine, then I want to seek His thoughts and ways. What He has in store for me is better than any resolution or intention I might perceive. It is exciting to think about what the Lord may be thinking about for me!

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me
Psalm 138:8 ESV

If I make my own New Year’s resolutions, I will most likely keep them for only a limited period of time. It has been said that New Year’s resolutions are made to be broken. However, the Psalmist assures me that the Lord will not fail to fulfill His purpose, or His resolutions, for me. Why should I try to do something I probably will not be able to consistently do throughout the coming year when I can rely upon God who will help me to accomplish His plans and purposes?

For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

This is a reassuring promise! The Lord knows best! If I want the Lord to fulfill His plans for me, then I want to make my decisions according to His desires. It is futile for me to create my own list of New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I will spend time this New Year’s Eve in prayer asking the Lord to reveal His plans to me.

And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new.
Revelation 21:5 NKJV

The Lord makes all things new – that includes the New Year of 2016! My Reader, will you join me in allowing the Lord to direct your steps and fulfill His plans for your life in the coming year? This is the best way to make 2016 the best year possible!

Happy New Year!
May the Lord Bless You throughout 2016!

Joyfully,
Cheryl