“But now, God ’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, the One who got you started: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you. That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. “So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.” I, yes I, am God. I’m the only Savior there is. I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene. And you know it, you’re my witnesses, you’re the evidence.” God ’s Decree. “Yes, I am God. I’ve always been God and I always will be God. No one can take anything from me. I make; who can unmake it?” Isaiah 43:1-5, 9-13 MSG
“Happy New Year!” How many times have you heard or said that greeting? Couple hundred? It’s the standard exclamation as we cross over to 2019! In Isaiah 43, we see what a REAL Happy New Year looks like…and it’s based on everything God is, has done, is doing and will continue to do. Happiness based on me and my circumstances will ebb and flow. Not so when I see that God is the source of my Happy New Year. He made me. He got me started. He’s redeemed me. He’s called me by name. I am His. And when I am in over my head…He’s there. Or in rough waters…He won’t let me drown. Or when I’m between a rock and a hard place…He makes a way when there seems to be no way. Wow! That should be enough. But He makes sure to tell me that He would sell off all of creation just to get me back. So I don’t need to be afraid of what is coming in 2019. He is with me! And the most exciting part is that He has me as His witness. Little ole me. I am His evidence. I am to live His Words. I am to trust His Words. I am to rejoice in Him in my everyday as He allows all things for my good and His glory. Others will see Him through me…and perhaps want to know what a REAL Happy New Year is. I can smile, in the midst of the everyday, the mundane, the sadness, the joy, the loneliness, the busyness, the ups and downs of living…and point to my God…the only Savior there is. He spoke. He saved. He’s always been God and always will be God. That’s His own decree and there is none higher. See, a Happy New Year isn’t about me, it’s about God that made me for His own. Here’s to a REAL 2019!
