Some Good Cheer for the New Year
Chad Johnson
January 7, 2011

"The eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year." Deut. 11:12 KJV

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippines 3:13-14 KJV

It is hard to believe that 2010 is gone. It has long been the tradition to look back over the previous year and reflect on both trials and blessings. As I began 2010 a certain trial of three years in length had reached its climax. Many of my articles reflected what I was going through.

A year ago I was betrayed by a person whom I loved, and still love dearly. This person twisted my words. I have decided that God will reveal all things in His time.

Some have said, because of some of the issues I wrote on last year that I am miserable. The truth is, I have never been happier.

I thank God for the trial, because through it I have grown in grace and been freed from the lordship of a man.

Now let's look at our verses. First in Deut 11:12 we see God dealing with Israel and them going into the promise land. This verse tells us God's care for this land and how His eye's are upon it fro the beginning of the year unto the end. Now, if God cares for the land how much more He cares for the inhabitants of the land, His redeemed people.

We see first He careth for us. Oh what great care our Father takes for us. The word careth has to do with taking care of us as a nurse would their patient. We are sick, poor, helpless and needy. Oh how we need God's care. This is good cheer for the new year because His compassions fail not and great is thy faithfulness. Secondly, I see in this verse that this care is continual.

God's eyes are always upon us. There is never anytime when we are out of sight with God. God is always looking to the ways of the redeemed. This gives me god cheer for the new year.

Lastly we see that He careth for us from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. As we begin this new year we have no idea what it holds for each of us. It could be a prosperous and healthy year. On the other had it could bring misery. Whatever our lot we know that our Sovereign Father can see it from the beginning of the year unto the end of the year.

We must like the apostle Paul forget those things that are behind us and press on toward the mark. That mark is God's will for us and the heaven that awaits us. There is good cheer for the new year.

Amen!