The new year 2007 has started with a bang. The stock market is buoyant, property prices in town are rocketing upwards and a record number of jobs have been created. The financial crisis which began exactly 10 years ago in 1997 and turned millionaires into paupers from Bangkok to Bukit Timah has all been but forgotten.
What does the rest of the year bring? Optimists predict a continuation of the high economic growth rate with both the stock and property markets expected to set new highs. Others are less sanguine and predict more difficult times ahead with the slowing US economy, continued unrest in the Middle East and high oil prices.
For the Christian, no matter how the year pans out, he knows that he can continue to place his faith and trust in the Lord. The year behind him is a common journey while the new year before him is akin to beginning a new journey down a path which he has never walked before. However, he can take heart from the example of Joshua and the people of Israel as they prepared to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. God had a message for His people then and now, “When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.” (Josh 3:3-4 )
Watch God - The Ark of the Covenant was that special piece of Tabernacle furniture which symbolised the presence and power of God. When the Ark was in the Holy of Holies, the glory of God rested upon it for it was the dwelling place of God. To Israel, it represented God’s presence in the midst of His people. So when God moved, they were to move. When God stopped, they were to do the same. We too must draw close to God and watch Him so that we do not get ahead of His will for us in the new year.
Follow God – When the people of Israel saw the Ark of the Covenant move, they were to leave their place and “go after it”. Not only were they to watch God, but they were also to move when He did. They were to pursue God! It is not enough for us to know what God is doing. There must come a time when we must leave our comfort zones and go after Him. Some of us might be called by God into different areas of Christian service in the year ahead. Others may have to make important decisions regarding their careers and families. Whatever it is, following the Lord is admittedly not easy. But ultimately, it is the best thing we can ever do.
Honour God – Notice that the Israelites were told to stay at least 2,000 cubits behind the Ark. This was necessary for them to see easily what was happening ahead of them. Another reason is that the Lord wanted no one but the Levites near the Ark. To get too close would have meant death. This reminds us of the need always to have a holy reverence and fear of the Lord in our hearts as we live for Him daily in the new year. We must never forget that we are nothing but sinners saved by God’s marvelous grace.
Sanctify Yourselves - The people of Israel were next told to “sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”(Josh 3:5 ) The people were told to make themselves as clean and holy as possible. They were to put away anything that was displeasing to the Lord. They were to examine themselves and get ready for the Lord to do something great for them.
As we begin a new year, we must examine our own hearts and ask God to help remove the sins which beset us. Only then can we expect the Lord to do great things in our lives as we traverse the untrodden way ahead. The wonders of tomorrow depend on the sanctification of today. If we sanctify ourselves as we face the unknown, tomorrow will be more wonderful than yesterday.
Trust God - The subsequent verses Josh 3:9-13 tell us that getting across the Jordan River did not rest on the strength or ability of the Israelites but solely on the Lord. It was His plan to get them across. God had committed Himself by promising to bring His people across the Jordan. All that was required of Israel was that they trust God!
The situation today has not changed for God has told us, just like in the time of Joshua, that: “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”(Matt 28:20 ) Regretfully, many of us continue to live lives filled with worry and doubt.
1. We worry over tomorrow, yet the Lord has told us, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”(Matt 6:34 )
2. We worry over material things, yet the Lord has promised us, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”(Phil 4:19 )
3. We worry about facing various things in life, yet the Lord has assured us, “Let your conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as we have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”(Heb 13:5 )
4. We worry over so many things, yet the Lord tells us that all of our worry is sin and that our duty is to trust Him completely. “Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”(Phil 4:6-7 )
As we begin another year, rest assured that the Lord knows what you would be going through and everything that will be happening to you. In fact, He knows more about it than you do! On top of this, “what he (has) promised, he (is) able also to perform.”(Rom 4:21 ) Following the Lord and surrendering our lives to Him to lead us in the new year will not be easy. For those of you who are willing to believe God and trust in His promises, He will do amazing things in your life that your tomorrows would be more wonderful than your yesterdays.