Remembering God All Year

 

The first few days, even weeks, of January are sort of shocking. Most of us can’t believe another year has flown by. In some ways, January is an exciting month because it is a transitional month — a month of beginnings. In fact, the name of this month has associations with this very concept of beginnings, doorways, openings, gateways, and transitions. There’s little doubt that the name derives from the Roman god Janus, who is usually depicted as having two faces - one looking to the past and one to the future - the god of beginnings, opportunities, and transitions on the Roman calendar.

This is a perfect moment to consider which direction we’re going as we face the year unfolding before us. The question for us as we enter the year 2026 is whether we will look forward through the eyes of faith, or backward toward what once was. And the Bible can help us, particularly, with Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In chapter 3, the apostle writes: “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…” (vv. 13-14).

So, will we look backward or look forward? It’s not always a dreadful thing to look back on the past. In fact, in the Bible we are given constant reminders to “…forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Looking back and remembering. Samuel, the last judge of Israel, took a stone after Israel scored a stunning victory over the Philistines, and named it Eben-Ezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). Looking back and remembering. Looking backward, setting up a few stones, remembering the goodness of God, and counting your blessings is a good thing - an exercise worth doing.

But looking backward can also be dangerous and destructive. Will we pine and mope over missed opportunities, or will we face forward with the eyes of faith to see what God might have in store for us? Let’s have a forward face filled with faith as we enter this new year! - Timothy Merrill O God of new beginnings, open my eyes to see your glory. Amen.

[Romans 5:6-8] Thankfulness is an attitude of heart and mind that expresses itself in speech and action. Most of us have experienced ingratitude from another sometime in our life, and such an experience is less than satisfying. I often wonder how God feels at His creation’s ingratitude. How many have felt God’s sunshine, breathed God’s air, been blessed with God’s rain, and yet never stopped to think of or thank the creator of all such things? Many, I’m sure, never gave a thought to God, though they are here by God’s grace and live by God’s favor. What ingrates we humans can be.

Even more, think about the greatest gift God has conferred upon man – the gift of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. Yet many go through life, day after day without ever acknowledging this great gift. When we were undeserving – when we were yet enemies of God – the Father, in infinite love, gave His Son to die on our behalf. God’s lovely and innocent Son paid the debt we owed, took upon Himself the penalty we deserved, and accepted punishment for transgressions we have committed. And this beneficent sacrifice was motivated by great, matchless, unbounded, and unearned love from God toward us: “For God so loved the world (you and me), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Not just at this time of the year, but in ever season of life – we should be always thankful, always grateful, always appreciative, to our great God. The apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I pray God’s blessings on you and yours in 2026.