Facing the Year Ahead
“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
(Isaiah 55:2)
It has been a busy season that has excited many people across the whole world. And as we count down to enter a new year 2015, aren’t you making some evaluation of the year gone and plans for the year ahead? It can sometimes be discouraging realizing that you did not achieve what you so seriously intended and determined at the beginning of the year – and for that reasons some people don’t even want to look back in evaluation! Yet the year ahead is a reality even if you close your eyes. How do you as a Christian face the year ahead?
To ensure Jesus at the center of your life and plans is the safest place to begin. Every book in the Bible has a Name for Jesus our Saviour and Lord, whose incarnation we just commemorated. Let us visit Prophet Isaiah and Apostle John to get some inspiration:
1. He Pacifies: Many of the things on which people lean leave them disappointed – political power will wane some day, riches run dry, allies turn around and fight you, and good health is not always guaranteed; there seems to be no sure rock solid anchor to give confidence in life. Nations propagate more wars in search for peace! Isaiah in his great Christmas prophecy portrays Jesus Christ as Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace (9:6). He will be the peace in your life, in your family, and he will even pacify the world around you if you trust in Him alone.
2. He Satisfies: The question in our key verse above is easy to understand for most people who set out do invest and did not reap what was expected – spending precious resources with no satisfying results! The invitation in Isaiah 55 makes Jesus the only one who satisfies. It seems to be so easy and hustle-free to come to Him and not many would believe ‘rich food’ can come that easy; but figuratively or not, it is only Jesus who satisfies.
3. He Sustains: He not only satisfies but also sustains. In John 6:35, he declared even more clearly, ‘I am the bread of life’; not just satisfying bread, but also life giving – health of body and soul today and tomorrow – and this is life eternal. Pray for grace to retain the Lord Jesus at the center of your life – to pacify, to satisfy and to sustain you.
God bless you. Happy New Year 2015!