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Jeremy Dykes Correspondent
“Commit your way to Yahweh,
Trust in Him, and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.” — Psalm 37:5-6
First of all, let me begin by saying, “Praise God for a new year!” Each one of us needs to be grateful to the Lord for helping us through 2023.
Even the times it may not have seemed He was working in our lives, rest assured that He was on the scene. Probably now, just a few days into this year, we have already contemplated changes that need to take place in our lives.
Let’s think for a moment of the statements we usually hear around this time. Someone may say, “I’m going to quit smoking.” Others may say, “It is time to lose weight.” There is also the resolution to make more time for family or to manage money better. I’m reminded of the old boy that said, “I don’t smoke, drink or chew or mess with girls that do.” We laugh, but often we find ourselves making all these “resolutions” only to see them fall by the wayside.
Let’s look at this a bit differently as we ponder our path for over the next 362 days. The psalmist says, “Commit your way to God (Yahweh).” Commitment defined is “the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.” Are we dedicated to God? Would we say that we are dedicated to Him? I recall Jesus’ commitment to His Father.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
The psalmist goes on to say we are to trust in the Lord. God is faithful when we fully surrender and place our trust in Him. I have always found comfort in the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6. It says:
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”
Praise God for His Word and the thought of the Lord’s Sovereignty.
On Christmas Eve, I spoke on how we are to be righteous before the Lord. When we look at all that He did to redeem mankind, all I can say is “Hallelujah, what a Savior!” I praise God for what we read in 1 John 1:8-9, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This year, let’s make sure we have the right tools in the toolbox. I’m going to share four things with you that a friend shared with me some time ago. If we will commit to these things and be dedicated to them, then I truly believe God will be glorified.
First, read the Bible daily. Look to a plan to where you can read the Bible through in a year. Get an accountability partner, and take this very seriously. You will grow as you dive into the depths of His Word.
Next, commit to praying daily. Remember in the prayer Jesus taught His disciples, “Give us this day, our daily bread.” Jesus needed time alone with the Father, so do you and I.
Then allow the Holy Spirit to lead you daily. Pray that the Spirit of God will guide you and show you the way to go. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you as you set out on your daily tasks.
Last, but certainly not least, attend a Bible-believing church. Not every church around here believes in the inerrant, infallible Word of God.
Find one that does. Talk to the pastor there, and make sure that he is committed to the God-breathed Scriptures and that they are wholly true in all things.
These four things can and will help you in your Christian walk. I pray that we all commit ourselves to the Lord and remain faithful to Him. Happy New Year. – Tribune.com
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