Daily Devotional

Most cultures have a special way to usher in a new year. Koreans list their sins on kites and cut the strings to allow their sins to just fly away. The Japanese ring bells to atone for sins. We Americans really don’t do that much. Perhaps we get together and sing Auld Lang Syne and make impossible resolutions for the New Year, most that last two months, at best. I think we should make attainable resolutions: “This year, I resolve to gain weight, stop exercising, read less, watch more TV, and procrastinate more – starting tomorrow!”

When it comes to celebrating New Years, my native Italian relatives really do it with a flash. In Italy, at the stroke of midnight, every member of the family is allowed to open a window and throw out anything that got on their nerves that year. Think of the possibilities! Out goes that old computer that keeps crashing. Out goes your wife’s cat, your husband’s grubby shirt, your mother-in-law’s poodle, and…well…you name it!

I am obviously not Jewish, nor as a born-again Christian, am I bound by the ceremonial laws given to the Nation of Israel. This is not to say, however, that there are not some principles that are worthy of our examination, as we consider how we might better prepare for our new year to come. The first day of the Jewish civil year is called in Hebrew: Rosh Hashanah: The Head of the Year. Although tossing out the cat is hard to top, God had a much better idea. He designed the beginning of a New Year as:

I. A Time for Reflecting  

Leviticus 23:23-25 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’”                          

Our Assignment: Reflect on the goodness and mercy of God. Jewish custom is to do this while dipping apples in honey. “May God gives us a sweet new year!” Time to pull out the sweets and do the same thing.

II. A Time for Repenting

Numbers 29:1-2, 6-7 “Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets. You shall offer a burnt offering as a soothing aroma to the Lord….an offering by fire to the Lord. Then on the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall humble yourselves; you shall not do any work.”

Our Assignment: Do a spiritual inventory followed by a time for repentance—admitting, confessing, and turning from sin and rededicating yourself to a life of personal holiness. Jewish people blow shofars (ram’s horns) as a call to repentance, a reminder of the ugliness of sin, an appeal for mercy, and a reminder of God’s covenant promises. When the Jews blow the shofar, they recite the words Na as vaneesma meaning, “We will listen and we will obey.” That’s some New Year's resolution, isn't it? Why not blow some toy “noise-makers” and repeat those same words?          

III. A Time for Rejoicing  

Nehemiah 8:9-12 "Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them."

Our Assignment: Take some time to rejoice in the truth of God’s grace in our lives and in the hope that we have for the future. Then recite with the early Christians: Maranatha – the Lord is coming soon! Ring some bells if you have them.

Here's a New Year’s resolution I’d love to keep.  It's in the form of a poem:

Dear Master, for this coming year,
Just one request I bring.
I do not pray for happiness,
Or any earthly thing.

I do not ask to understand,
The way Thou leadest me.
But this I ask,  Teach me to do.
The thing that pleaseth Thee.

I want to know Thy guiding voice.
To walk with Thee each day.
Dear Master, make me swift to hear,
And ready to obey.

And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be,
If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee. (Author Unknown)

La Shanah Tovah Umtukah: May You Have a Sweet New Year!

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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