As we start off the New Year, many of us are writing down our resolutions, or creating goals we’re preparing to reach. The past few years I’ve heard more and more people talking about choosing their “one word for the year” With the plan to be more intentional about living that word out through the year.
I’ve never chosen one before. And I didn’t plan on choosing one this year either. Mainly because trying to pick just one seemed difficult, since there are so many different aspects of life I want to continue to grow in.
*I encourage you to read the following verses in your Bible, or looking them up as you read the next few paragraphs*
But lately as I’ve been doing my Bible study, in journaling, and in prayer, one word has continually been pressing on my heart, and that is gratitude.
The past two months I’ve been reading through the Old Testament, and learning at a new depth of the Lord’s goodness. Reading about His creation (Genesis 1) and amazed that I can experience it daily. The writings of His power and provision (Genesis 37-46, Exodus 3-4 & 13-14, 1 Samuel 17, and many more) stirring my heart to awe. And seeing His faithfulness as He makes His covenants and keeps them (Genesis 8-9 & 12-17, Exodus 19, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31:31-34)
At the same time in reading throughout the Old Testament, I’ve continued to see a new depth of the wickedness of us in our flesh. The fall of creation (Genesis 3), the continued corruption of man’s heart (Genesis 6), and rebellion against the Lord and His commands (Genesis 16 &19, Exodus 32, Numbers 14, 1 Samuel 15, 2 Samuel 6, 11, & 24, as well as many more). And it doesn’t stop there.
“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’ Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly and Moses was displeased.” Numbers 11:4-10
Now when I first read this passage above, I was frustrated and angry. I was thinking “are you seriously complaining, when God just brought you out of slavery (see Exodus 7-14), with the promise of a new land filled with all you would need, and He’s even giving food along the journey?” And as I was growing in my frustration, I stopped and realized I’m no better than they are.
How many times have I passed up an opportunity to praise the Lord for what He’s done, because I was complaining about another desire? Or wallowed in pity, as He removed one thing to lead me to something better? What about ignoring a blessing He has bestowed, because it wasn’t how I thought it would be?
Ask yourself these same questions. The wickedness we see in the Old Testament, the people rebelling against the Lord and ignoring His commands, continues in us. You may not have a golden statue that you praise, but is there something you’re putting ahead of the Lord? Is your time, relationship, entertainment, or money an idol in your life? You may not have touched the Ark of the Covenant as Uzzah did (2 Samuel 6:6-7), but are you doing something He has commanded you not to? Have you lied, cheated, stolen, disobeyed your mother or father? Maybe you’re not complaining about eating manna day after day, but is there something else you’re complaining about instead of trusting in the Lord’s steadfastness?
We are sinful. But the Lord is merciful.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34
This covenant that the Lord made, was fulfilled through Christ (Matthew 5:17) , as He died on the cross for our sins. And through faith in Him alone, we receive the gift of salvation, knowing that we will be with the Lord for eternity.
So as 2024 starts, I have decided to intentionally walk in gratitude. I want my heart to sing His praises, not reside in ungratefulness or complaints. And in my flesh, I may fall in this, but I can start right now by thanking the Lord that He has paid the debts of my sins and failures through His Son! And for His redemption, making me new that I may desire to live for Him!
If you’re sitting here wondering “have I been forgiven?” “am I saved?”, or “what does any of this mean?” I encourage you to reach out to a believing friend, local church, or you can even go to my contact page for questions.
Now I want to know from you, what are you grateful for today?
-Ellie Marie
Total Surrender 