Weighing something new.
“For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.'” (Acts 17:20-22NASB)
Wow that is shocking, “very religious in all respects.” These men had lots of religious stuff they believed. Just like today, anything new would be weighed against what was already working to satisfy their sense of spiritual wellbeing. Paul did his best to reason with them, but only a few believed. Just like today.
King Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” So wishing every one a Happy New Year would be kind of boring. The Prophet Isaiah knew the day was coming when God would “do something new.” This is my New Year’s wish for all my friends and family here at home, across the world and the many, many of you in Pakistan.
May you leave behind those things that kept you from moving forward. We all have them. There is always room for something new as God shapes our spirit. When He is at work in us we certainly are aware. May this be the year you gather fruit from the Spirit and truly bless others with the love of Christ. I wish for your “newness” in this coming year. May God’s grace overwhelm you as His love perfects your soul. That is what I call a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
The day is coming when God returns and again works something new for His chosen people, Israel.
“Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
“Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
“The beasts of the field will glorify Me,
The jackals and the ostriches,
Because I have given waters in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert,
To give drink to My chosen people.
“The people whom I formed for Myself
Will declare My praise.” (Isaiah 43:18-21NASB)
His Family Table 