A Renewed Year

Job’s “glory” was still fresh in him, as he reflects upon his past days of prosperity (Job 1:3), prior to his present sufferings and losses. The “bow” was a symbol of strength (Gen 49:24), and defense (Jer 49:35) – it was “renewed” in his hand; which means that God kept Job constantly strong in spite of all his afflictions! Because “in all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10). Although he was having a great difficulty in trying to understand why he was undergoing extreme agony, he continues to acknowledge that God “doeth great things and unsearchable” (Job 5:9), and that His ways are not Job’s ways (Isa 55:8).

In fact, the book’s chapter ended with his restoration when the Lord gave “Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). God’s compassion and blessings (Lam 3:23), brought peace and contentment to Job’s life – after a great storm, he now faces a new beginning! As we greet the New Year, we are also looking ahead to a new beginning. The old is gone forever and all we are left with are memories of the past. But God “will do a new thing” (Isa 43:19). He wants us to forget “those things which are behind” (Php 3:13); all our past hurts, anxieties, fears, bitterness, and grudges.

 We must cast them away into God’s hands, because He cares for us (1 Pet 5:7). By His grace, we can start the year with a fresh clean slate (Eze 36:26)! There will be many challenges that is ahead of us this New Year. We can either face them with anger, frustration, and hatred, or with a Christ-like attitude of forgiveness, compassion, and love (1 Pet 4:8). As God’s children (1 Jn 3:1), we must learn to reflect His great love towards others (Rom 13:8), with “all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering” (Eph 4:2). May our lives always be filled with “a sweet savour of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15), to His glory and honor! Have a God blessed happy New Year!

- Pastor Melito Barrera