Happy New Year

We’ve had illness in the house and my oldest had her tonsils out. It has been a week already.

Just one note on this New Year’s Day. First, I hope you have a good one. Second, I wanted to remind you of this.

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Re 22:12–13). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

There will be lots of turmoil, discontent, success, disappointment, happiness, joy, misery, pain, triumph, and more this year for each of us in various ways.

Do not be discouraged, even as discouragement comes. God is on the throne. He is still sovereign. Anything that happens is part of a master plan that you and I do not see and could not fully comprehend even if we could see from beginning to end.

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18  If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ps 139:16–18). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Before the beginning of time itself, God had a plan worked out. His thoughts about us are like the grains of sand — too vast to be counted or fully comprehended by you and by me, but we can trust Him and His plans.

As Romans 8 says, those of us of faith will be persecuted. We will not have an easy time in the world. The things of the world hate the things of God, but all things do work for the good of those who are called by God.

“If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ro 8:31–35). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Do not let politics, political outcomes, and worldly affairs distract you from the basic truth you need to get through this next orbit around the sun — we’ve already won. God is with us. So be content. Be salt and light and a smile to a neighbor. Do not repay evil with evil or unkindness with unkindness. Be cheerful, helpful, and love your neighbor even when he does not love you back. Do not behave like the world. Present a different path — an alternative to the negativeness and nastiness that draws people to you.

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22  for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Pr 25:21–22). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

If you look like the world and operate like the world and behave like the world, the world will see you as the world and you will miss a chance to provide a path out of the madness to others. For those in politics who think they need to behave as nasty as the other side, scripture says you’re wrong. Do not define yourself as the opposite of the other side, because you’ll be just defining yourself, a sinner, by the actions of another sinner. Be less like the world. Be counter-cultural — go to church and seek the welfare of the city in which you live and pray for it.

And above all else, when this year gets you down, remember how the story ends.

“ ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Re 22:16–21). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

The story ends in victory. So there’s no need to act like a sore loser or a sore winner. Just be a happy warrior.

I’ll be back on radio tomorrow, including live in Kansas City, MO, on Talk 980 AM. Talk to you then.

Happy New Year.