Resolving to be closer to God for his blessings
“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49b)
So what will your New Year’s resolution(s) be for 2019?
If you look at the compiled results of what people’s resolutions are at the start of each new year, they usually have to do with health (lose weight, eat better, get in shape, etc.). It is amazing how many gym memberships are sold around the start of a new year and just a few weeks later how many of those memberships are going unused.
Our Bible verse for this week helps us set a priority about health for the new year, but it’s not regarding physical health, but rather spiritual health.
Have you ever noticed that nearly every New Year’s resolution has something to do with what “I” am going to do to make things better or change things? Our verse for this week is not a New Year’s resolution, per se, but it is a commitment. It is the Son of God committing to be closer to his Father knowing that it will bring great blessings.
I have heard of people who make it one of their New Year’s resolutions to read their Bible more or go to church more. Our verse for this week is along those lines, but really goes further. Jesus’ words are saying that it is not an option, but rather the most important thing to be in his Father’s house – “I had to be…”.
Think about what all is contained with and implied in Jesus’ words. It is a realization that if God is not first, everything else is going to be out of line. It is a realization that everything we are and have comes from God and that we need to stay close to him to have the strength and guidance to use his blessings in the right way and in a way which pleases him.
We have all been down the path of thinking that we know best and can do it on our own and I don’t have to tell you how that ends up.
Being “in our Father’s house” is not just “putting in our time” in church each week, it is a realization that we need God’s forgiveness for our failures and shortcomings. It is a fervent plea that we need the power of the Gospel to help us fight off temptation, overcome the challenges in our life and trust that in all things God is truly working for our good.
Yes, there is a part of “I” in this whole thing, but ultimately it is God as Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
All of this is trusting in a promise which God gives us “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8)
God’s blessings in 2019 and beyond as you rely on God’s promises and blessings!