It is the new year the old is gone and the new has rolled around. The sufferings of 2020 and the struggles of it are behind us. And the new beginning of 2021 is here.
Now the only magical thing about starting a new year is reflecting on what God has taught in the previous year, and that we know what to do differently at the beginning of a new year spiritually so we can stand our ground.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress."(Psalm 46:10-11ESV)
"Be Still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices." (Psalm37:7ESV)
Just because it is a new year does not mean things are going to change around us in an instant. But what we can count on to change dramatically is how God has changed our hearts to pursue Him with fire and purity like none other.
Jesus trains us to live in the fire is what I have learned in 2020. But we will not get burned.
Moreover, I want to clarify these words which God has laid upon my heart are not resolutions or goals. Instead, these are things God wants me to keep close to my heart within my walk with Him.
God has put something else upon my heart besides how I need to see through His lens of perspective. But also to;
Be Still
Gather
Choose Grace
Stand your Ground
Being still is about resting in the peace of God and knowing He is almighty. There is none like Him. And how God will be exalted above all else. It is also about being still and knowing we have victory in Him.
Gathering before God and with others is about glorifying His wonderful goodness. It is about going boldly before the throne of God to pray over others, for others. And it is about boldly going into our secret prayer closets to bare our souls before God where we can be completely honest.
"For I know their works and their thoughts and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory."(Isaiah66:18ESV).
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."(Matthew 18:19-20ESV).
Choosing grace is receiving the gift of grace God has reached out to give us. But also it is about extending grace to others even when we do not feel like it. Or when we do not think they deserve it. Because God has once again extended grace to us when we do not deserve it at all.
Choosing grace and extending grace isn't for those who wound or hurt us, but for us to heal.
The grace of God has given us all a seat at the table. We just have to accept God's gift of salvation, confess our sin, declare he is our savior, and accept the gift of His grace.
In reflecting upon 2020 in its entirety I can say it has been a year full of fear and scare tactics to keep us afraid of everything and everyone. And a false sense of securities from this world and culture which have not been based on truth at all.
The only one who is trustworthy is God almighty. His truth withstands all things.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."(2Corinthians 12:9ESV).
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."(Ephesians2:4-6ESV).
So we must not be afraid or live in fear. We must not live with a yoke of slavery upon our necks or within our minds, because Christ has made us free.
The reason I say this is because 2020 has been a year of suffering and oppression in some aspects. And we must not take on the world's fear or what has been tried to be forced on us. But only take upon us what Christ has given us.
Instead, I challenge you to; Be still and rest in the presence of God. Be still and stand your ground by remaining rooted in the truth of God. Abide in Christ and not this world or culture, or by what others try to speak over you. Gather before the throne of God in corporate worship and your secret prayer closet without fear.
Be still and pursue God with a pure heart. Be still and know you are enough in Christ alone.
Gather and see the glory of God. Gather and agree on the truth of God. Gather together in the grit and do not flee from the hard things.
Be still in the waiting and be still before speaking. Gather in Spirit and truth. Choose grace over anger, un-forgiveness, or insecurity.
Furthermore, I have learned throughout this year in everything God is among us. He is faithful and his grace is powerful. And his grace is a cover of protection.
Choose grace over fear, and do not be afraid to gather in Jesus' name!
Pursue God in purity and do not turn your back on the grace of God.
Do not go back to what God saved you from. Thrive instead where God has replanted you.
Be still and know who God is, and know who you are in Him.
Gather at the seat at the table God has prepared for you. Choose to extend grace and see things through the lens of Christ.
References:
English Standard Version Study Bible (2008) Crossway Publishing, Wheaton ILL,
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