Psalm 103:2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget the many good things he has done for you.
In less than a week, we will all be saying goodbye to this year 2015, and greeting the new year 2016! Almost all of us do so with mixed emotions. Some may not want to leave the year because it has been an awe fully good one, their best so far. Others cannot wait for the year to pass and a new year to unfold because this year has been tough, perhaps even very painful in some ways. Still others are grateful to the Lord for the year, and look forward with perhaps a little anxiety but with more excitement for the good things that may happen in the New Year.
Before we leave this year 2015, let us pause to count our many blessings. Yes I wrote “many” blessings. Because I really believe that we have all been recipients of the kindness and mercy of the Lord in far more ways than we are aware of. We have all received- some in bigger ways, others in smaller ways- many blessings from God. Some of us finally got a good or better job this year. Others were able to expand their business. Some have finally finished their studies, even already taken and passed the licensure examinations. Many of us are grateful for the stronger and happier families we have compared to the beginning of the year. Those involved in life groups or secondary ministries saw and rejoiced at the impact of their efforts to love God and love people. And the list can go on and on.
Lord, we thank you that you blessed us tremendously this year 2015. We did not deserve it, but you gave it to us anyway. Thank you for your matchless grace and infinite love. As we prepare to leave this year 2015, we want to appreciate all that you’ve done for us. You are an awesome God with an amazing love and great power. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord!
And as we think about the New Year 2016, our hearts are strengthened by the confidence that you cross over to the New Year with us. We are not alone, but you go with us every step of the way. You will never leave us nor forsake us. The same goodness you showed us in the past (including this year) you will show us in the year that is about to welcome us. Like David we can courageously declare, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).
Brothers and sisters, let us count our blessings, thank God for them, be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and goodness, and march forward with confidence that the new year 2016 will even be better than this year 2015!
ADVANCE HAPPY NEW YEAR! God’s richest blessings to you and your family!
Lathur Badoy