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Today’s Vow, Tomorrow’s Joy

Psalm 61 couldn’t be more fitting for the new year.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. (Psalm 61, ESV)

David begins with a prayer. Hear my cry, when (not if) my heart is faint. At times in 2024 your heart will be faint. So will mind. If you reflect on 2023, you’ll remember times that took your breath, that stopped you in your tracks and caused you to wonder what would be next. (And if you know me well, you know I have enough real-life fainting stories to fill a small book–I’m convinced I’m a fainting goat!).

We have a choice. Focus on the faint or focus on the faithfulness of God. Lead me to the rock. Why? Because you have been. How would you complete that sentence for 2023. God, you have been my ___________________________. For David, the words refuge and strong tower come to mind. As a result, King David wants to worship. He lives in a palace. He wants to dwell in God’s tent. Forever!

In the first stanza, we see the greatness of God. In the second, we see the mundane of Mondays. Yes, New Year’s Day 2024 is on a Monday. David writes, “you have heard my vows.” And later “as I perform my vows day after day.”

It is in the mundane of today that the joy of tomorrow resides.

Days determine years. If David’s years are going to endure to all generations, it will be because he fulfills his “day after day” vows. Eugene Peterson described discipleship as a “long obedience in the same direction.” It is in the mundane of every day that the joy of tomorrow resides.

What does your daily need to look like in 2024. Determine that today. And make a promise (vow) to yourself, to someone else, and yes to the Lord, what you’ll do every day.

Don’t forget to look behind you. You’ll see goodness and mercy (Psalm 23), or as David writes here, steadfast love and faithfulness, watching over.

Happy New Year!

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Your 3 Greatest Needs for 2015

I’m always hesitant to reduce the Christian life to a formula. Here’s why. Christianity is not a religion–it’s a relationship. Christianity is possible because God invaded our space with His Son, Jesus Christ. The very stories about Jesus’ life (called the Gospels) are not a list of dos and don’ts–rather, the stories are Jesus’ encounters with everyday people like you and me. When they met him, He changed them.

Yet on New Year’s Day, the nagging question some of you have is, “How can I live for God in 2015 better than I lived for him in 2014?” It’s a legitimate question. If you’re asking it, you have already won half the battle. Lou Holtz said, “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” If you’re reading this blog on New Year’s Day 2015, my assumption is that you want 2015 to be different–you want to grow significantly in your walk with God.

Consider Titus 1:1-2…

for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.

Paul, in a short letter to Titus, is describing his raison d’être–his reason for being. Paul experienced a dramatic turnaround in his life when Jesus Himself confronted him on the Damascus Road. After that he lived for the sake of the faith of God’s elect. If you know Christ you are God’s elect. In Paul’s personal purpose statement he outlines what you need: faith, knowledge and perspective. Let me explain.

You need faith in God. 2014 may have been the toughest year of your life. In very difficult times you will be sustained by faith. The writer of Hebrews defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (11:1) Simply put faith is believing in what you can’t see because you trust in the God of the unseen.

Then how do you get such faith? Their knowledge of the truth. Romans 10:17 makes it plain. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Paul existed for others’ faith. They way he bolstered their faith was through the Word. You must have a knowledge of God’s Word if you are going to faithfully experience the trials and joys of 2015.

Perspective. In hope of eternal life. If you’re expecting life on this planet to satisfy you, 2015 will be a series of disappointments. You won’t get skinny enough, buff enough, rich enough. Life on planet earth is not ultimate. There’s a brighter day coming.

So here is my commitment to you. Beginning today, I’ll provide daily encouragement. It is no substitute for your personal time in the Word. View it more as a coach on the sideline calling a play. The play only works if you execute.

My desire is for the sake of the faith of God’s elect. I can’t wait to see how you come to know God better in 2015.