But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV
This is the first Sunday of 2022. Our so-called “new year” is kind of arbitrary, depending on which calendar system you adhere to, but it’s always a good excuse to stop and consider how things are going. As the prophet said, “this I call to mind.” So, for a new year, I am “calling to mind” the stunning list of “new” things that God supernaturally does or has done in my life.
- The New Birth. I am born again by the supernatural work of the Spirit. I could never do this on my own. John 3:3-7
- The New Creation. My very nature has been transformed into the image of Christ. I couldn’t transform myself, I am His workmanship. 2 Corinthians 5:17 / Ephesians 2:10
- The New Covenant. My relatiosnhip to God is based on an eternal covenant ratified by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is a better covenant than the Old Covenant Law, and has better promises. Hebrews 8:6
- A New Mediator. This New Covenant is mediated by my new high priest, Jesus Christ. He ever lives to make intercession for me. He is my advocate with the Father. Hebrews 9:15 / 7:25
- A New Commandment. Jesus gave us one commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” He then provided us with the Holy Spirit to enable us to love the way He loved. We can’t do it without His help. John 13:34-35 / Galatians 5:22-23
Every one of these “new” things are supernatural. Without divine intervention, I am lost. Thank God, no matter how badly I fail today, His steadfast love for me never changes, and His mercies are new every morning. He is faithful, even when I’m not. In the new year, be sure to take time to call to mind the new things that actually matter as we prepare for the big one: a new heaven and a new earth.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:11-13 ESV
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