Texts: 1Kings 3, Psalm 119, Luke 2, Ephesians 1
Theme: “Faith, Wisdom and the unexpected”
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Intr – What could still be expected as “new” in the life of a man who has an established family and possessions, is respected in his community, and who is already 75 years old? Perhaps all he could think of was of retirement, having a coffee group every Tuesday and Thursday, and just wait for his end.
That’s not the case for a certain gentleman though. It was at 75yo that life started to change for good. God called him to a new place, a new life, something special. Then, since he listened to God and obeyed Him, he is remembered around the world from all that happened to him and his family from that day on.
His name: Abraham. It was at the age of 75 years old that his life began to change. Not only life change, but History itself.
As we start another year, resolutions and plans usually are in the order of the day. However, because of specific circumstances – age, loss of someone, hopelessness, problems, among others – it may be the other way around. Depending on age and life circumstances, we may be led to think of giving up, and just go with the flow until God calls us home.
Is that you? Do you think your time for planning and accomplishing more might be over already? You don’t you see change coming? Maybe you think 2025 is going to be just like every other year, especially the bad ones. Therefore, no point in planning, let’s just “see what happens”?
Think again. It may be the year that changes the rest of your life. We never know. Abraham, at 75, would tell you so. Moses, who at the age of 80 became Israel’s deliverer, could say the same; and so would Martin Luther, who only in his late thirties started to lead the Lutheran Reformation. In all those cases, on one New Year’s Eve their life situation was one; on the next it was completely different.
As we begin another year, we never know how it will end. That’s why trusting God’s promises and Wisdom for our lives weighs in again as strong as always. The readings for today point us in that direction, showing God’s action as He guides our lives, bringing the ingredients that are always important for any given New Year we have in front of us.
_TO ASK GOD – 1st Kings 3
How many things could we ask God as we begin a new year?
Now think about Salomon. If being a king was not enough, God now gives him permission to ask whatever he wanted. We might think that it was a simple, enjoyable task. Was it really?
_He might have asked for money; then later, he could proceed to study and become wise;
_He might ask for fame, which for a king would open many doors with neighbouring nations;
_He might have asked for health and long life, which would give him time to study as much as he wanted.
But not even health was Salomon’s first choice. He asked for wisdom; and God gave Him all the rest. He asks for the Wisdom of God, the same wisdom that we need for a New Year too.[1]
_To know and to live the WORD – Psalm 119
God’s Word is the foundation of our faith. Therefore, it is the source of our wisdom.
When we look at our cultural setting, I’m sure it will be another year of the “Religious mix and match”. You are invited to take a little bit from each religion or philosophy as it is convenient to you and create your own God figure. Usually, one that will be ok with all the choices we make. Not a Creator God, but a created one.
However, think about it, what is better for our lives: a created god or a God Creator:
A created god: seems very convenient, and it might be – until we run out of strength and wisdom. For when I create a god for myself, he will be able to help me as long as I have strength to maintain it. This god is as big and strong as I am.
The Creator God: He Almighty, All-knowing, all loving God. He never sleeps or slumbers, and when our strength ends, his Power has just begun. God is as big and strong as He is.
Which of those two options would mean life, strength, hope and wisdom for the New Year?
_Humility to learn, courage to witness – Luke 2
Jesus God is with us. The very one who was among the doctors. We see two demonstrations of humility in this passage of Luke 2:
_God sits down to discuss with men;
_Masters of the law taking time to talk with a 12-year-old boy;
Also, we see demonstrations of courage:
_The teenage boy Jesus is willing to face his challenging mission of Saviour and Master;
_Those masters of the Law are willing to learn, even from a boy;
Striving to seek and to apply God’s wisdom for our life implies both humility and courage. We are humble to recognize there is someone above us (not all people do). We are courageous enough to learn from His Word and share it, while so many “better” and more “rational” options are around.
_Security through faith – Ephesians 2
Today’s epistle brings us two strong affirmations that make us secure in Him:
“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will”(v. 4 and 5)
You are not beginning a new year alone. You will not walk alone, you won’t make decisions alone, you won’t do anything alone. You won’t even be alone alone – unless your choice would be to deny Christ, and I know that’s not an option for you since you are here at His house today. Jesus is Immannuel, God with us, God with you. This won’t change. You are God’s child. He is there with you, for you, in you.
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (v.11).
Nothing escapes God’s eyes. Nothing ever escapes His will and counsel. We know we are secure under His wings as we belong to His family.[2] We are reminded that time is in His hands; time is different for God. Just as Abraham was called at the age of 75, He was with John the Baptist in his mother’s womb. And He might have chosen this New Year as the year He will make of you, if not an Abraham or a Luther, but perhaps someone who will change somebody else’s world.
Cc – Whatever the case may be, starting the year with Him is the only thing that cannot change. For in Jesus, we expect the unexpected in faith, wisdom secure in His hands.
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[1]This is something to bear in mind when we hear that health is the most important thing. It is important, but not the ultimate thing. As Christians, we know that even in a hospital bed, or death bed God’s presence never leave us. It is good to be healthy, however it is way better to be in Christ. For health, one day, will fail us; Christ won’t.
[2] This makes it always good to remember, in face of a New Year and lots of “to-do” lists:
“Don’t just do something. Amid family anxiety and workplace tension, my instinct is to move people in directions I “know” best. “Don’t just stand there—do something.” Words and actions manage the situation. Problem solved—till next time. Who made me “god?” Foolish lie. The Spirit of Jesus, who sent me here, turns the old cliché upside down: “Don’t just do something—stand there.” Stand: praying, watching expectantly for the Spirit to lift up Jesus. The witness of influence to which God called me, not impressive planning, problem solving, or hyperactivity. Rather, the stillness of complete surrender to, and confidence in, Christ.”
(First Call, Rev John Messmann, 2019.)
