DECEMBER 31, 2024— REFLECT ON THE YEAR

DECEMBER 31, 2024— REFLECT ON THE YEAR

When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.  —Malachi 1:8

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. —Malachi 3:8

 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.” —Revelation 22:12

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. —Revelation 22:20-21

            Wow… it is sobering to ponder the number of years we have lived at the end of another year.  In a few months it will be seventy years for me.  Seventy years!  How can that be and yet it is.  As I think about this past year, did I offer to my Lord the best or the leftovers?  The challenging statement to the Israelites was— “Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.”  That is a sobering thought— If that which I offered and gave to my Lord was given to a government official, would that government official see that as acceptable?  Would how I offered my time, my talents and my treasure be acceptable?  That is a solemn thought!  What did I do with that which is His and He has given me to manage?

            The next thought is somber as well— “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.”  It is clear that, for the followers of Jesus, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10).

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” —I Corinthians 3:10-15

            Oh, may God’s grace, His undeserved favor, rest upon us.  Yes, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17).  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus that we might hear from You— “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Oh yes, may this be so!  Even so, come Lord Jesus!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZu7mfYS_VY