He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8

As I begin a new year I think of what people call resolutions. Most folks say something like, “This year I’m going to lose weight or I’m going to eat healthier” etcetera. I am quite sure those are respectable goals but I’d like to shoot for something a little more eternal. There are things in this life {and the next} that are more important than your eating habits or how physically fit you are. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” I Timothy 4:8

God has shewed us what is good and what He requires;

Do Justly. My goal this year is to do what is right. It is never right to do evil that good may come. “If an act of righteousness would appear likely to destroy all my apparent usefulness, I am yet to do it. It is yours and mine to do the right though the heavens fall, and follow the command of Christ whatever the consequence may be.” C. H. Spurgeon

Love Mercy. The Word of God tells me that my God “delighteth in mercy.” If He loves mercy and delights in mercy should I not make it my goal to love mercy? My old nature screams for revenge and retaliation, it says, “I’ll show you”. But my goal this year is to love mercy and to delight in it. “He that shows any kindness to a saint is sure to have God for his paymaster.” William Gurnall

Walk Humbly With My God. Humility is the opposite of pride. When you consider Satan’s fall, pride just may be the mother of all sin. Walking humbly with my God is a lofty resolution because pride is like a noxious vine that spreads its roots into every facet of our lives. I have found it possible even to be proud of my humility. God help me! “Humility is the proper estimate of oneself.” Charles Spurgeon

To quote a good old hymn;

“I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.”

May we grow closer to Him this New Year,

Brother Shawn