In this last part of Hope, Confidence, and Faith for the New Year, I want to draw our attention to two verses from our reference texts that tie the dots of our discussion together.
Hebrews 11:6:
But
without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of
those who diligently seek Him.
We
have seen clearly that you have to have confidence (faith) in God. This confidence is based on God’s nature – He
is unchanging – He is true, among other attributes. By looking back at the victories he’s won for
you, you can turn off all fears that may hinder you from facing the New Year
with confidence. If he did it yesterday,
he can do it today.
God is
merciful and supreme over our lives. But
as seen in the above verse, faith is a key requisite in pleasing God. Anything you do outside of faith is bare
‘works.’ God is interested in you
putting your utmost trust in Him, and believing that as you trust him, he will
reward you. He will reward the work of
your hands, the thoughts of your mind, the work of intellect. As you give yourself to the New Year, you
have to diligently subject everything – everything to him.
What
is your anticipation for the New Year?
Do you have a plan - a strategic
plan that you intentionally want to follow through? (An all-round document that addresses your
wholistic development (spiritual, social, financial) and work (whether employed
or in business). If you don’t have one, this
is an opportune moment for you to draft one and commend it to God. In part 1, I mentioned 1 John 5:14-15 which
points out that our confidence (faith) is based on the fact that if we call on
God in accordance to his will, we know that he hears us, and if we know
that he hears us, then we have our petitions granted (paraphrased). It all goes back to faith!
Two more scriptures in
conclusion:
‘Now the just shall live by faith.…’ (Hebrews 10:38b)
This is an interesting entry into
the text, especially because of the portions of scripture seen in Part Two
about suffering (verses 32-34). Who is the ‘just’ person. According to the Benson Commentary, this
refers to one who has been ‘pardoned and renewed, or justified and regenerated,
and therefore is humble, meek, sincere, resigned to the will of God and
relying on His wisdom, power and goodness and faithfulness.’ This person shall then live by faith. Rather, his support system shall be faith. In the midst of uncertain times, during
sufferings, trials and all manner of life challenges, he shall embrace
godliness and a holy life. Faith then
becomes the rail that all such a person hangs on. Faith becomes essential such that it cushions
him/her from retreating to ungodliness, for God has no pleasure in him who
turns away (from faith – trusting and depending on God), he whose confidence is
on another or anything else, except God.
Finally, the author of Hebrews
points us to our reference of faith, Jesus:
‘… let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the ]author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’
(Hebrews 12:1b-2).
In the New Year, make Jesus your
reference point – have confidence (faith) in Him. Commit your plans (that are founded in His
will) to Him, and be ready to endure all manner of distractions, because, with
Him, all things are possible.
(Look out for my upcoming book on
‘Position for Change in the New Year.’
It brings out deep revelations into exploits of faith as clearly seen
in Hebrews 11,)
Happy New Year!
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