Another year has dawned [1-1-11 Devotion]

Happy New Year!  How did your celebration go?  What did you do on the first day of the new year?  By this time, many have made their "New Year's Resolution":  to be healthy and stop eating junk food, to be patient with others, to work harder and earn more, to quit this or that vice, to give time for one's family... blah blah blah.  I decided not to make one since I am not ever willing to give up eating my slice or two of chocolate cake.

My devotion today is on Psalm 90:1-12.  You might want to read what David Jeremiah shared about it here.  Psalm 90:12 says "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  Once again, I am reminded that I will be getting a year older this year.  I'm so looking forward to the big 4-0 though a bit anxious about it.  Being older definitely has its perks but thinking of degenerative diseases such as arthritis or hypertension makes me want to stop the hands of time.  As we grow older, we should become wiser, as the popular saying goes, right?  All the good and bad experiences, trials that we've had in the past should serve as lessons for us to share to those who are younger than us hoping that they would make decisions that they will not regret.  

Our time on earth is short.  What then should we do to make it worth living? I like what David Jeremiah wrote on the last part:  "Lord, remind us that You are our eternal life. Turn our atTENtion to the importance of each day—each year—each decade, and to make our lives count for Christ."


During our New years eve dinner, I requested my in-laws to sing one of my favorite hymns.  Click HERE to listen to "Another year is Dawning."  The song was written by Fran­ces R. Hav­er­gal in 1874. She wrote these words as a po­em for her New Year’s greet­ing cards.  Music is by Samuel S. Wesley (hymn "The Church's One Foundation").
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.


Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.


Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

You are blessed, my friend.