This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year. (Exodus 12:2 HCSB)

New Year’s Eve. Last day of the year. So many things happened this year; good and bad. I spent a couple of posts on reflecting on this past year and remembering things to be thankful for. But there comes a time when we must put the past in the past and look to the future. What better time to do that than the last day of a new year?

We talk about New Year’s resolution which isn’t a bad thing even though most people don’t reach the goals they set (myself included). It gives us that chance to push to make changes in our lives, to set good goals and/or change bad habits.

Yet, none of those goals can be reached without God’s help and without His will.

In the Bible, there was a very rich man named Job. He had it all, land, livestock, children, and a wife. None of that was as important to him as his God. In Job 1:1 it says, “He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.” His children would take turns having a party at their house and when it was over, Job would “send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them.” (Job 1:5 HCSB) He did this in case his children cursed God while partying too much.

Then God allowed Job to lose everything; first his livestock and children, then he lost his health and was covered in boils. His wife said, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9 HCSB) But Job said, “You speak as a foolish woman speaks, should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” (Job 2:10 HCSB) The Bible says that Job held to his integrity and didn’t sin with his words.

Next came his three “friends.” The following chapters in the book of Job are about his, so called, friends telling him that he must have done something to displease God, but Job stood up for himself. He knew he had done nothing wrong and he was right.

Finally, Job says, “If only I had someone to hear my case! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose His indictment.” (Job 31:35 HCSB) Basically, Job wanted God to explain why all these things happened to him when he had done nothing wrong. God appears to him in a whirlwind.

Oh my, I would not have wanted to be a fly on the wall when God confronted Job. God didn’t come as Judge as Job expected but as the Creator of all things. He asked Job where he was when He created the earth and when He decided its size. Had he ever watched a deer give birth or know the months she would be pregnant so he could know the exact time of her birth? Read chapters 38 – 41 to see that God’s knowledge is way beyond our comprehension.

Then God said to Job, “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” (Job 40:2 HCSB) But Job said, “I am so insignificant. How can I answer You? I place my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing.” (Job 40:4-5 HCSB) Then in Job 42:5-6 (HCSB) Job says, I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes.”

After this, God restored Job and blessed him more during the second part of his life than the first. He had seven sons and three daughters just as he had before, but now he owned 14,000 sheep when before he owned 7,000 sheep, 6,000 camels and before he had 3,000 camels, 1,000 yokes of oxen and before he had 500, and 1,000 female donkeys when before 500.

I believe with all my heart that if God wants to change our lives he will bring it about. Setting those goals can help us to be more focused on making those changes. He wants the best for us, despite the adversity’s that come our way.

My goal every year has been to be represented by a literary agent and become a published author. Well, if it’s his will, it will happen eventually. But, I must pray for his will and ask for his will and know that it will come in his time.

 

Lord, forgive me for those times I have not been focused on your will for my life. Give me the desires of your heart. Help me to remember that your timing is perfect. Guide me in your perfect plan and help me to stay on it. In all things, I pray for your will to be done.

 

There comes a time when we must put the past in the past and look to the future. What better time than the last day of a new year? Tweet This.

God restored Job and blessed him more during the second part of his life than the first. Tweet This.