Samoa, Tonga and Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and part of Kiribati are the first to enter the New Year 2017. At the time of writing this blog, it's 6:21 p.m. (EST) so just a few hours remain for 2016.
This morning I read Exodus 15 when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea to escape the pursing Egyptian army. There may be hard experiences and difficult events of 2016 that can linger after we enter the New Year.
Or we can allow the Lord to re-write a new chapter in our lives. Remember, His mercy is new everyday! And we are renewed by this same mercy.
Moses encouraged the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again." (Exodus 14:13 ESV).
God knows how to swallow up those things of the past that try to haunt and taunt us!
And it's the work of the Holy Spirit alone to perform His promises. No resolution we make at the stroke of midnight (or whatever time zone we live in) when the New Year is announced will carry us through 2017. Beloved, if anything 2017 is a year for ever-increasing faith.
No matter how small our faith (like a mustard seed), it's enough to meet whatever challenges await in the year to come. Why? Because we believe God hears and helps us so that at the end of 2017 we have a sure testimony of His faithfulness.
Beloved, we may be ending one year but we are also coming nearer to the end of this age. His return is sooner than we first believed - so meet each day with gratitude and devotion to Him.
I'm certain He will carry us through 2017 on eagle wings.
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