As the New Year approaches, we take the time to reflect on the last twelve months and assess our accomplishments and failures. We consider the lessons we have learned and any adjustments we should make for the future. This mental exercise is helpful but it can also be discouraging when we come to grips with our proneness to fail…again and again. If you’re anything like me, New Year resolutions are rarely achieved to the extent I originally intended. This reality exposes deficiencies inherent in all of us. We eventually fail no matter how hard we try. In the Old Testament, we find God’s chosen people are no exception. The children of Israel failed in their devotion to Yahweh time and time again. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah outline the grievous failures and consequences of the nation. But in Isaiah 40, God provides comfort to His people by describing His glory that will one day be revealed in His promised Messiah (v1-5). By the end of the chapter, God demonstrates His glory once again by assuring His people of His sovereign power but also His loving compassion. This gives me hope for the coming year. God’s knowledge of my future failures did not dissuade Him from providing a Savior and the means to live like our Savior. God not only provided deliverance from Israel’s captors, but He provides permanent deliverance for all of us today. We must learn to run to our Deliverer and entrust ourselves to His saving hand. Jesus must be our primary pursuit for 2025. Failures will occur, temptations will arise, but let Christ be your life and hope this coming year. –Pastor Nate
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: BTH–History of Liberty Baptist Church
10AM: Pastor Rory–God’s Glory Revealed, 2–Isaiah 40:21-31 (sermon notes)
No PM Gathering | Fifth Night
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