A New Year's Hymn

 "Be not disheartened by troubles,

for trials are the building blocks

on which to erect a fortress of faith

secure in God's ageless rocks."

Helen Steiner Rice

 

A new year is dawning.

 “Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be, in working or in waiting another year with Thee: another year of progress, another year of praise, another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Those words are the first verse of Frances Ridley Havergal's hymn, "Another Year is Dawning" written in the late 1800s. 

"What a hymn to sing to our Father in Heaven on the eve of a New Year. A prayer unto God for whom nothing is impossible. A hymn to beseech our heavenly Father for a good year ahead; a year of resting and trusting, of praise for His mercies and faithfulness, and of service to Him. Let this be our heartfelt prayer too as we look forward to another year with the Lord."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Great Christian Hymns website 

I don't know whether to be happy or sad as we move into a new year. After the year we've just experienced, I'm happy to see it over with, but also know the new year may be just as difficult. 

One thing I'm sure of, though, is our God was with us this year, and He will be with us next year. The second verse says:

“Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace; another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face; another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast; another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Frances Ridley Havergal wrote Another Year is Dawning as a greeting to her friends. It is a grand New Year's prayer of consecration. In the book "Amazing Grace" Kenneth W. Osbeck wrote: "It was said of her that she always lived her words before she wrote them. Her life was one of constant and complete commitment to God." What a challenge to us!

This certainly is the time to live our life in service to God. To be a witness of His power and faithfulness even though times are hard. Looking up instead of looking down. Trusting instead of complaining. I will deliberately set my mind on the things of God, not the things of the world. We have the ONLY reason to live!

The third verse says:

“Another year of service, of witness for Thy love; another year of training for holier work above; another year of dawning, Dear Father, let it be, on earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee.”

As you watch (or maybe sleep like I will be) the new year come in, welcome it with the Hope of Christ!

 

If we, His children, won't trust and praise God in all circumstances, remember the words of Psalm 148. He will receive praise from His creation:

 

". . . Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his biding,

you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds . . .

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens." 

 

"All of Psalm 148 tells us that the Lord of God is in control. When He speaks in heaven, things happen on earth . . . God does not run this world by consensus but by decree. His Will will be fulfilled." Warren W. Wiersbe

 

" Oh, may my new year be dedicated to living for and serving God. There's HOPE in the new year--God's Hope . . . Jesus. Call on Him to fill your heart with Hope.