My New Year's Resolution by Motte Brown on Dec 28, 2007 at 12:05 AM

I have seen the Lord's hand move in my life in obvious ways over the years. Often in my prayers the Spirit will lead me to recount them one-by-one with my heart overflowing with praise and thanksgiving. And now, at the end of the year, I plan to remember them anew with my family.

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses does a lot of recounting for a new generation of Israelites. As they stand ready to take possession of the Promised Land, he commands that they remember the Lord's wonders in Egypt so that they will not be afraid of "nations greater and mightier."

"If you say in your heart, 'These Nations are greater than I. How can I dispossess them?' you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out. So will the Lord your God do to all the people of whom you are afraid." -- Deuteronomy 7:17-19 ESV

But Moses, knowing that God would bless them with a land in which they lack nothing, also commanded them to remember the Lord in their time of plenty lest they become prideful.

"Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who give you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day." -- Deuteronomy 8:17,18 ESV

As you reflect on the goals achieved in 2007 and consider the ones you'll set for 2008, remember God's providence in your life. God has allowed you to see his hand move so that you'll be encouraged in times of trials and humbled in times of plenty.

Comments

[1. Jason Ganzer had the following to say on Dec 28 at 2:08 PM:]

1

Good post. I think it is all to easy to get hung up on goals and to get depressed when we don't accomplish them rather than counting our blessings and seeing how good God has been. Thanks for the reminder.

[2. Adam T. had the following to say on Dec 28 at 4:10 PM:]

2

I've loved that second scripture for a long time. When things are going very well for you - as they are for me now - It's awfully easy to forget where those blessings came from.

In fact, I wish I could remind myself of those verses every day...

[3. Kristen H. had the following to say on Dec 28 at 5:11 PM:]

3

Nice!

[4. Rachael had the following to say on Dec 28 at 5:59 PM:]

4

Thank you so much for this post!