Happy New Year's Resolve

With the Lord begin your task; Jesus will direct it.

For His aid and counsel ask; Jesus will perfect it.

Ev'ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended,

In His name then Close your eyes; Be to Him commended.

A new year is full of new opportunities, new hopes, new challenges, and doubtless also new hardships and new griefs. If we face it with the Lord, however, we need not fear. We may try to ensure that our new year is full of goodness by our own resolve. I think that this joke is an old stale one. The chicken crossing the road is funny once. The thought that this year's new years resolutions will be so much more successful than last is not that funny anymore either. We make our efforts to improve and reform ourselves, but we also learn just how frail our flesh is when we try.

That is why we need a Savior. That is why we need grace.

Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
(Psalm 127:1-2 ESV)

The problem with new year's resolutions is the resolve. It is ours. Our resolve does not run too deep. Our sinful nature undermines our efforts to improve. Our old Adam resists any kind of reform. He cannot be persuaded. He must be drowned in baptismal waters. That is why our resolve is so weak. But we can draw on one who has deep resolve. So deep was Jesus' desire to save us that He died on the cross for us. Not only does he desire to save us he desires to bless us.

With your Savior at your side, Foes need not alarm you;

In His promises confide, And no ill can harm you.

All your trust and hope repose In the mighty Master

Who in wisdom truly knows How to stem disaster

If your task be thus begun With the Savior's blessing

Safely then your course will run, Toward the promise pressing.

Good will follow ev'rywhere While you here must wander

You at last the joy will share In the mansions yonder.

Even if this year does bring grief, hardship, sorrow and crosses, we know that we have a Lord who sees over it all. He has begun his task in us. He has invested much in us. Would he abandon you? You are the fruit of His labor. You are the work of His hands. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

He has all the resolve we need. We can depend on Him. He will not only save us in the end. He is with us all along the way.