New year, new strength

The Lord Jesus Christ offers not only comfort from our burdens in this life but most especially the true rest in the heavenly kingdom.

By LLOYD RUBEN I. CASTRO

IT IS COMMON for people to list down their New Year’s resolutions or plans for the next year—various worthwhile endeavors that they intend to fulfill. In order to get them done, one needs to have new strength. God’s servants don’t have to wait always for another new year just to renew their strength. The Holy Scriptures teaches us how we can find new strength. This is what the Bible says:

“But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” (Isa. 40:31 Contemporary English Version)

Let us begin each day ahead with new strength through trusting the Lord God. There may be new challenges or trials that we must face, but let us remain trusting in Him for us to succeed. This has already been proven in our life—God continues to uphold us every single day. Through His help, we have overcome various problems and sufferings.

However, there is something that God expects from us—something that we should add to our confident trust in Him. The Bible teaches:

“Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.” (Job 17:9 New King James Version)

Along with our confident trust in God, let us lead a righteous or clean way of life. In so doing, we can expect that we will get stronger and stronger in faith and in our services to Him.

But let us also remember that one who is upright “fears the LORD”

(Prov. 14:2 New International Version), and as such, obeys Him. Hence, we must also obey God’s will, one of which is that we become members of the Church headed by Christ (Eph. 1:9-10; Rom. 12:4-5; Col. 1:18) or the Church Of Christ:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)

If we are already members of the Church, the Bible also tells us this:

“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:13 NKJV)

So let us trust the Lord, have a clean way of life, and remain obedient to Him as members of the Church Of Christ until the end. Doing so guarantees God’s help that will enable us to succeed in our endeavors, and most especially, receive His promised salvation.