Man’s true spiritual condition is nowhere more clearly seen than in the absence of a proper submission to and reverence for God. Biblical fear for God consists of : 1) awe of His greatness and glory, and 2) dread of the results of violating that holy nature (Proverbs 9:10; 16:6; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:30).
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Romans 3:18.
2 Corinthians 1:20
In His grace, God gives us a new day every 24 hours, and a new year every 365 days. He’s the Lord of new beginnings and King of fresh hope.
Think of it this way. Without Christ, we’re like passengers on a doomed ship, sailing into the night, fearing the storms ahead, hoping there’s enough entertainment on board to distract out forebodings.
But with Him in our hearts, we’re sailing under a heavenly flag with the Captain of our Salvation at the helm. We know this will be a good voyage-a great year-even if there are choppy waters along the way.
We can face the future without fear, for all of the promises of God in Him are “Yes”, and in Him “Amen”, to the glory of God. This is the year that the Lord has made-we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Portions of commentary from David Jeremiah’s Pathways Devotional, January 1.
-Word- pictures by DLink 