Testimony
I was trying for years to quit smoking. I would give up for few days and would get back into the habit. But ever since I walked out of the retreat I haven't smoked and I truly feel redeemed..... Read More...
Just Another Day?
by Peter Horrobin
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 3:22-23, NIV
The first day of a New Year is always a special marker in the sand even though, in reality, it is just another day in the passage of history. It’s no different from any other day, it contains exactly the same number of hours and minutes as any other day and it’s squeezed between the day before and the days to come!
But the midnight fireworks shown on our TV screens from around the globe tell us that the whole world is taking a moment to remember the passage of time, as we look forward with anticipation to a new beginning and we remember years gone by, loved ones who are no longer with us, achievements made, opportunities missed, difficulties encountered, and victories won.
Yes, it is a day just like any other, but it’s also a day unlike any that’s ever been, not just because it’s the first day of 2023, but because every day in God’s eternal calendar is both totally unique and different from any other day that has ever been, created for us by our totally unchanging God, whose love is eternal and ever the same. For, as our Scripture for today tells us so clearly, the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, and His mercies never come to an end.
The God who loved us in 2022 is the same God who will love us through 2023 and all the days of life that are to come. He is utterly dependable, totally constant in His love and is there to hold our hand and wrap His arms of love around us, not just for the next year, but for the rest of our lives.
John Wesley always used this day to covenant his whole life afresh to the Lord. There is no need for the Lord to re-covenant Himself to us, for He never changes. But we have all sinned and, as the Scripture says, we have come short of His glory. So, John Wesley took time at the turn of the year to do some personal spiritual house cleaning after the manner of Psalm 139:23 & 24, “Search me O God . . . and see if there is any wicked way in me.” He was using the moment as a reminder that when walking in this fallen world we can be affected by the mess we have to live through and walk in. He wanted to be clean and ready for whatever opportunities and challenges the New Year would bring.
So, Yes, today is just another day, but it’s also an opportunity to re-covenant ourselves afresh to our covenant-keeping God whose steadfast love never ceases. And then to step out into the New Year ready and willing to walk with Him every step of the journey that lies ahead.
Peter Horrobin is the Founding and International Director of Ellel Ministries. The work was originally established in 1986 as a ministry of healing in the north-west of England, but today the work has spread round the world, with Ellel Centres in over thirty nations. Peter has been doing lots of writing recently, including the "Journey to Life" series which can be purchased online at sovereignworld.com.
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