New Year's Eve

Joshua 3:4c
“...for you have not passed this way before”

We come the close of yet another year, and what a year it has been. What is it that is on our mind when we reflect back on this past year of 2012? Great expectations and triumphs have been met with frustrations and sadness in this past year. In the past 365 days we have met all of the emotions that life’s about.

What were the highlight and low points of 2012? There was... In this year of our Lord 2012, we have celebrated. All of the events of this past year are etched in our minds.

1.                  Yet, we must go on – there is no going back – whatever the path before us we must tread it. How will the future fare for us? Only the Lord knows.  Joshua was right “for you have not passed this way before.”

2.                  As we go let us look out for the signposts – bypaths plainly marked; in the past there have been warning signs misery, ruin, and death. We will meet them again in the New Year.

And there is the right path clearly shown happiness, peace, and heaven. Could it be that in this New Year we will be called home?  As we move on to the New Year of 2013 we proceed. But in what manner shall we proceed?

3.                  We proceed cautiously – make haste slowly – Hold ever before us the lamp of Thy Word, Lord. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” The Scriptures remind us. We enter into the New Year with the lamp of God’s Word giving us direction, purpose and hope. “Trust in the Lord with all your hear” the Scriptures remind us, “and lead not on your own understanding” All that stands before us in the New Year of 2013 must be measured carefully by the clear direction of God’s Holy Word. In every circumstance we must ask: “what is God teaching me?” “what is God saying?”, in short, with Luther we must ask ourselves and each other, “what does this mean?” 

4.                  Let us not go alone – Let us look out for friends on the road, those needing help on the way. Let us walk with Jesus who has promised to walk with us as He has clearly promised “Lo I am with you always even until the end of the age” Together with the Savior, family and friends we are given an incredible journey into the future. All that the New Year promises us we will experience not alone but with other who accompany us along the way.

5.                  Take the staff of God’s promise in your hand – Promises to help and comfort. Each promise is given for our encouragement and hope. Counting on the promises of God we trust each and every one.

6.                  Look forward with hope to the end of the way. In the end we will spend eternity with the Savior. That is the goal of this journey as we travel the road of life. Life is a journey. We know the final destination. As we venture forth to fulfill our destiny let us enjoy the scenery as we travel and experience the journey with Jesus who pilots us and with those who walk beside us.

CONCLUSION: Joshua was right when he wrote in our text for this night: “...for you have not passed this way before”. For this very reason we take provisions along the way. As we venture forth from this place into the future our Savior walks with us. Walk confidently with Christ as you go from here. A blessed New Year to one and to all!