This Day in History: 0000-12-26

December 26 – Psalms 98 

Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory; His holy arm has shown His saving power!
The Lord has announced His victory and has revealed His righteousness to every nation! 
He has remembered His promise to love and be faithful to Israel. 
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God!
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise! Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord,
for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. 

It’s that time of year – time to wrap up the Christmas celebrations and get ready to ring in the new year! Time to ponder all that has come our way this year, and set our goals for the next. Time to focus our hearts on this resolution – to sing a new song to the Lord and declare that He has done wonderful deeds! 

Friends, I’m not a fool. I know for most of us it doesn’t really feel like God has done wonderful things lately. Some of us are struggling to hold onto our faith because the trials have made God feel so distant. As we prepare for the coming year, we’re wondering how we’ll even keep our head above water. Our goals don’t reach past having the courage and strength to take our next breath. I understand. I’ve been there. And dear one, I beg of you – sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonderful deeds! 

As you step into the new year, take a risk. Dare to step out in faith and trust God. Dare to find something for which you can praise Him, and offer your worship with your whole heart! If you’re struggling to find anything, may I suggest the very thing we just celebrated yesterday as a starting place – God became flesh! He came here and walked this fallen planet for us. He stretched out His mighty arms and won the victory for us by sacrificing Himself. He offered us salvation and His own righteousness! Isn’t that enough to get us started? 

Shout to the Lord, all the earth! Break out in praise, and sing for joy! Sing a NEW SONG to the Lord, for He HAS done wonderful deeds!