31 DECEMBER

 GOING, GOING, GONE!

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

The year that started full of life, hope, joy, plans, opportunities and seemed endless with 365/366 days; 8,760/8784 hours; 525,600/527,400 minutes and 31,536,000/31,622,400 seconds will, in a matter of hours, become part of history. 

How true of man! He is born full of life, joy, plans, hope and opportunities which he thinks will never end. Alas, one day, one hour, in one second, man is gone.

Forever? 

Gone forever on the earth as we know it but alive in eternity, either in joy or in pain – in eternal bliss in the presence of the Almighty God, our Father; or in eternal damnation in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur.

Our choices while we are alive here on earth determine where we spend eternity. What would we want man to write on our epitaph sincerely and truthfully? Most people write only the good. More importantly, what would God write and where would He write our names? 

Lou Holtz wrote that “The key to winning is choosing to do God’s will and loving others with all you’ve got.” So I add, not just winning in this world but having access to eternal bliss in the world to come.

ACTION: Reflect on the journey of your life so far in this outgoing year. How much progress have you made in all areas of life? What could you have done better? Now is the time to plan for the incoming year!

PRAYER: Thank you, Almighty Father, for your mercies throughout this outgoing year. As the new year draws closer, please teach me to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom (Psalm 90:12) in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!!!

THE HYMN: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;                                                                 

there is no shadow of turning with thee;                                                   

thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;             

as thou hast been thou forever will be.

Refrain:

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! 

Morning by morning new mercies I see;                 

all I have needed thy hand hath provided;

great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

sun, moon and stars in their courses above

join with all nature in manifold witness

to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Words: Thomas O. Chisholm. Music: William M. Runyan

Scripture Reference: Lamentations 3:22