Bible Thoughts December 31, 2000
"This month shall be unto you the beginning of months; it shall be
the first month of the year to you"(Exodus 12:2). The
Israelites were being freed from the bondage of Egypt.
They were preparing to leave for the promised land. The Passover feast was being instituted and the Hebrews were starting to realize they would now, by the hand of God, be delivered from slavery. It would become a new year for them; a year filled with hope; a year of deliverance; a year of blessing.
The new year for the Hebrews would be Abib. It would begin in our March. They would be able to return to their homeland and worship God as a free people. The future was bright; they could envision the day when they would finally dwell in the land God gave them. Their misfortune would now be turned into victory. What a wonderful new year they envisioned. No more taskmasters; no more beatings; no more denial of freedom; they were going home!
There is something exciting about a new year. Most people, in some way, will celebrate the passing of the old and the acceptance of the future. The old problems and sadness can be left behind; the joys of anticipation for a better future are felt within the heart. As the apostle Paul would state it, "...forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"(Philippians 3:13-14). Such an attitude was a daily motive for Paul as he continued to serve the Lord. The new year is an appropriate time to make such a resolution. And...have the same resolve each day for the rest of our lives.
In the new year, we will have the opportunity to put the past behind us, with all of its hurts, problems, disappointments, and sadness. We can, as Paul, look forward to the service we can give to God; the care we can have for our families; the hope we have for the future. Folks do get excited about "new" things: so can we not get excited about the opportunities that will be offered over the coming year? Seek out those opportunities; take advantage of them, they may not occur again.
In the new year, we can resolve to improve ourselves spiritually by studying and applying the word of God, seeking the companionship of those who are faithful, being faithful in our duties in the Lord's church, and setting an example to those in our families, among our friends, at our workplaces, and in every relationship of this life.
The new year offers so much. We live in a time of prosperity, peace, and ease. The Lord has blessed all of us more than we deserve. Let us not forget the Lord during 2001, but make it our aim to become the best servant of God that we can achieve. It is within each of us--let each of us make it reality. We can do it, with God's help.
And...oh yes...HAPPY NEW YEAR!
"And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers
encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler
say?"(Acts 17:21).
The philosophies of this world often stand in conflict with the word of God. Man's knowledge, at its best, is fallible. God's knowledge is perfect; what the Lord reveals is what man needs to know and obey. Yet, the wise of this world(as well as the not so wise) are not impressed by the message of the gospel of Christ. Their own inflated egos prevent a positive consideration of a book that claims to be inspired of God.
Paul was an educated man of his day. He was a man of intelligence and learning. He could have been very influential among the Jews if he had been willing to use his knowledge to further their cause. The apostle, when confronted with the truth, had to make a choice: accept prominence among the Jewish leaders or live as a humble apostle for Jesus Christ. You know the choice he made and the influence he carried among those who respected the ways of God. His preaching, his writings, yea, his life-- all testify to the dedication of this man. Paul let no obstacle stand in his way as he became a Christian and lived the life of a disciple.
The philosophers of Athens tried to discredit Paul by calling him a "babbler," an interesting word that signified a "crow, or some other bird, picking up seeds"(W. E. Vine, page 93). Hence, they looked upon Paul as a "seed-picker" of knowledge. Their implication was that he had some learning, but only in small "seeds"(amounts). The apostle, in their eyes, may have picked up some scraps along the way, but he could not compete with their own philosophical achievements. How wrong they were!
Paul was a man who could speak to the beggar and be understood; he could discuss his faith with the philosophers of the day; he would stand before rulers and express his faith; Paul had no fear of man for he believed the Lord and taught his word. When one needed correction, Paul corrected; when one needed knowledge, Paul taught; when one needed faith, Paul encouraged; when one needed hope, Paul could reveal the beauties of the gospel and the reward of heaven. Paul could teach the truth and admonish men in all areas of life and under every circumstance. He was not simply a seed-picker of knowledge, he carried the seed, which is the word of God, in his heart. Every Christian carries the same seed in one's heart today. Are you scattering the seed in the hearts of those you contact each day?