"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." - 2 Chronicles 16:9
Happy New Year!
One reason it's happy is, as today's verse notes, God is looking for you and looking to strengthen your heart and your commitment to him.
It's something like the year I was at two hospital emergency rooms in Tuscaloosa on New Year's Eve. Of course, when you think emergency room, then you think sad and sick and gloomy. Even moreso, what I noticed was the number of small children and then children that were a little older. Some seemingly poor, but not most.
I'm thinking, "What a way for these poor souls to spend New Year's Eve!" So, I was even more resolved to do what I always do, namely look for people who were willing to look at me and then smile at them with compassion and encouragement. I'm sure you know what I mean because I hear so many talk of being blessed when others look at us that way, namely with a smile of compassion and encouragement.
And ya know what? In both hospitals, in both security areas, in both waiting rooms, in both sets of hallways, in both sets of regular ER rooms, in both sets of psych ER rooms, almost every single person looked towards me.
And every single person, even those with small children, every single person, smiled in return and nodded as if to say, "May compassion and encouragement come to you too."
Friends, our world, our towns, our towns that are an hour away from our towns as Tuscaloosa is from where I live in Hoover, the whole world is filled with people who are hungry for encouragement in the loving-kindness of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
God is looking around the whole world to share his strength and encouragement in Christ. As we're made in God's image, we're made to enjoy sharing with others what God has first shared with us. If we believe this and share his strength and encouragement, a happier new year will be shared by us all!
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." - 2 Chronicles 16:9
Happy New Year!
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
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