Most people under the age of 50 make New Year’s resolutions. Those over 50 have quit making them because they don’t keep them for more than a week or two.
The thought that comes to mind is, “What does God want you to do in the coming year?” Three things may be on your list. One, be faithful in attending God’s house; two, read the Bible on a regular basis, and three, do better in your praying.
Matthew 6:33 reminds Christians to seek God’s leadership in all matters. When believers decline to do so, they rob themselves of God’s blessings. We all have the same 24 hours a day. What we choose to do with those hours is the basis of our eternal rewards. As the above scripture reminds us, we are to seek God first.
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) emphasize the same thought. The first four Commandments encourage us to put God first in our lives. We are to have no other gods. We should not worship carved images. Nor use the Lord’s name in vain. And finally, we are to honor the Sabbath. If we put God first, then the remaining six commandments are easier to obey.
You may be thinking that’s Old Testament, but what about the New Testament? The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 reiterates the same principle. First, we are to acknowledge our heavenly Father; we are to honor Him as holy; we are to advance His Kingdom; and we are to respect the Lord’s Day for worship. By doing these four, God promises to supply our daily provisions for life. We can ask forgiveness for our sins and receive deliverance from the evil surroundings of our world.
When someone asked Jesus about the greatest commandment, He replied (Matthew 22:37-39). We are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and our neighbors. God is telling us to put Him first and then help others before ourselves. That doesn’t make sense to most of us, but that’s what He desires of us.
Back to our primary thought: Our priorities. Our most pressing matter should be about God, not ourselves. When we put God first, He takes care of the rest.
May the Lord God bless you in this coming year as you try to serve Him.
