The old has passed and the new begun in our measurement, called time. One of the multitude of blessings we have in believing, is knowing not only the gift of life, but also knowing the God of eternity. The Apostle Paul wrote about this to the believers in Galatia almost 2000 years ago, and is preserved for us.
Galatians 4:4 : But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
As we reconcile the past, present, and future may we remember to entrust our lives into the hands of one who loves us with an eternal love. When it seems like answers are hard to come by, we can know that God controls time. Paul assures us that in tn “the fulness of the time” God provided what He had promised from eternity, and prepared in time was for us. Our promised redemption came not when we were ready but when the preparation by God was complete. The gift of faith calls us to believe in the complete redemptive work, that Jesus alone can provide. His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning suffering, death, resurrection from the grave, and ascension to heaven are sent to us in Christ by the Holy Spirit to bring strength for each day.
The Gospel assures us of God’s forgiving love to us, points us to Jesus and his completed work that has made us “an heir of God through Christ”. As we look forward to the coming year may we do so with joy and thanksgiving. The Apostle James gives us insight into the source of thanksgiving, writing in James 1:17 : Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Our God has begotten, or become our Father, with the “word of truth”, and will continue to send gifts that are good and perfect, according to his will. May you put all of your hope and aspirations in his care and keeping. The Apostle Peter encourages us in 1Peter 5:7 : “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ” The scriptures encourage us to rest, and cast all of our cares, upon God. There isn’t a better way to look to the future than to believe His Word and trust His leading. May you look to him not only in time, but for eternity.
Pastor Stan