A New Years Prayer
(OPENING SLIDE) READ PSALMS 31
If we are fortunate enough, once a year we wake up to a brand new year. It doesn’t matter what happened last year; there’s nothing we can do about it. What’s done is done, and life goes on. What is exciting, however, is a New Year. It is the signal of a new begining, a fresh start. (SLIDE 2) Another chance to do the right thing and start over. Time to do those things that we have been talking about doing! You know, "I’m really gonna get serious about God....soon as I get time"...this is the time of year that we realize time is slowly ticking away, and we are just along for the ride. Kinda like a canoe being swept down a river by the current. Where is it taking us? What are we doing while we’re on this trip? Time marches on whether we like it or not. When I worked a "real" job..(lol) the employer was always worried about time management...how you spent your time during the work day. Did you know that God is your employer and He is interested in how you spend your time? How’s your time management?
Some folks make resolutions...only to be broken. (SLIDE 3) I think we all have made this one...lose some weight! Every year, same resolution...and usually same results. We start out good. "I’m really gonna do it this time!"...but our zeal cools down as soon as we realize..."hey! I’m hungry!...well, I’ll just grab something to eat now and make it for it later". We know when we do it that we’re not gonna make up for it. If there is truly one resolution we all need to make this year it is to be closer to God. I think we can all agree on that we would like to draw nigh unto Him...but I think also that our zeal dissapears after a little while. Sometimes we are even afraid of what the future may hold. Let’s look at David’s prayer here in our text and see how he handles it.
David is doing what I call "Christian self-talk." You know, sometimes we have to convince ourselves that we are who we are. We are blood bought children of the King.....heirs to the very throne of God! So important to God that He sent His most precious Son to ransom us when we were yet mired in sin so we can boldly approach the throne of God with confidence! That’s who you are, and that’s what you need to keep reminding yourself of. If you have to talk yourself into it, them talk yourself into it! It’s true! Here’s how David does it. (SLIDE 4) VS 9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. 10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. 11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends— those who see me on the street flee from me.
Boy, that sounds pitiful, doesn’t it? And you thought YOU had problems! His eyes are growing weak, his body and soul is wracked with grief; Look at vs 10...his whole life is miserabe, isn’t it? So bad that even his friends have not only deserted him, but now hold him in contempt! They don’t even want to be around him. I don’t think I would either, with that attitude! He certainly isn’t minimizing his problems, is he? He says "I have a lot of issues here"....but let’s see what he does about it. Look in (SLIDE 5) VS 14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." Here’s the self-talk. David recognizes where his help will come from.
Look at VS 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Do you remember the very last thing Jesus said on the cross? (SLIDE 6) LUKE 23:46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. Listen, we all need to realize that our times are in His hands! It’s not what happens to us that determines whether we are going to be sad, mad, or glad. It is what we tell ourselves ABOUT what happens to us that determines our emotional state. And what you tell yourself about your particular situation is largely determined by how familiar you are with God’s Word. Remember, the Bible is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Jesus Himself set the example for us in His dying moments on the cross....He prayed PSALMS 31....and by doing so He showed that He wasn’t afraid of the future...because He had already commited it to God. Let’s read on....(SLIDE 7)
VS 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. First he deals with those who would come against him. He says "show everyone your power, Lord! Don’t let them continue to downgrade me...I’m a child of God!" I like this part....Let their lying lips be silenced...did you ever pray something like that? I know I have! He then goes on to say that God protects His children... (SLIDE 8)
VS 19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. David says "you do protect us, and I know that you are my refuge, my shelter...I trust you to keep me safe!" Then, David offers praise.(SLIDE 9).VS 21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22 In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!"Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I sure feel like I am in "a besieged city". Listen, David was beside himself with worry and grief..uncertainty. But he self-talked himself into praising God! Just when I thought I was cut off...and there may be times in this coming year when you feel that too....He heard my cry for help....and answered with mercy! Hallelujah! Then David leaves us with this thought...(SLIDE 10)
VS 23 Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Be strong and take heart. Here is what Jesus said in (SLIDE 11) JOHN 16:33In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." I’m not afraid of what this new year will bring....because not only has He overcome this world, but look here in (SLIDE 12) 1 JOHN 5:5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. I have overcome the world because I believe that Jesus IS the Son of God! And may every man be a liar, but God’s Word is TRUE! He said it, I believe it, and that settles it!
Listen, 2007 was a hard year for many of us. But if we think back, it was also a good year in many ways. God has blessed this church, this ministry, and many of us individually. I am excited about 2008! Yes, there will be times that we have trouble...Jesus said we would. But I am not afraid. The Bible says in 81 different places to "fear not". Fear is not of the Lord. Confidence is. And I am confident that the good work He has begun right here, right now, and in me will be completed and kept safe until that blessed day of redemption. Do you know what casts out fear? Let me show you something..(SLIDE 13).1 JOHN 4:16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love Perfect love. WOW! If I love, then I have no fear. And to love means to have faith. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? (SLIDE 14)
In 2008, give God a chance to be great...in your life. Have faith that He loves you and will protect you. Have faith that He wants only the best for you. Have faith that He is the author and the finisher of your faith. It all starts with Jesus...and it will all end with Jesus. Make Him a regular part of your life and schedule. Resolve to spend more time with Him, and in His precepts. Make a resolution to be new in Him. If we set our minds on these things, we can truly look forward without fear to a Happy New Year!
Altar Call...
