It’s a common application for Christians to read the Bible every year. I am in no way against that. However, my confession is that I have never done that. I have read the entire Bible, just not at one time. Maybe it’s the weekly preparation for sermons that takes precedence in my daily life. Ephesians 5:15-17 “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Time matters in our day. Work. School. Life.
Time Isn’t Slowing
I know, time flies when you age. However, time hasn’t changed. It is still the same pace it has always been. Job said it best about time, Job 7:6 “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and come to an end without hope.” This year will move as fast as the last one. We can’t wait for the weekend to come, and then want it to never end. Oh how unsatisfied we are.
Nothing Has Changed
This year isn’t filled with any new resolutions. In fact, one should make a resolve to be more like Christ anytime. It was Jonathan Edwards that laid out his resolutions, yet they weren’t on January 1st. Between 1722-23 he laid out 70 resolutions. It was a good number of those resolutions (14) that were focused on time. Even in the 1700’s time seemed to have been slipping. Resolution 5 “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.” Resolution 37 “Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month, and year.”
I suppose January 1st is a good time to start some new resolutions in your life, primarily those of spiritual disciplines. However, August 5th or May 19th are good too. I would hope we are all seeking to be as Edwards is on the 37th resolution he had, to inquire every day what our life is like and how it can be more committed to the glory of God.
My Text for the Year
Having said all that, I look at one verse every year for my verse for the year. The year 2026, that verse is Ecclesiastes 1:9 “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.” I think Edwards’ resolution 5 aligns with this verse for me. I don’t want to lose time on fruitless things. In this text, which is a part of vs. 8-10 as an overall context, it reveals that man’s endeavors are fruitless here in this life. There’s no satisfaction. There’s no security. There’s no end to one’s desire.
As I enter this year, I do not know what is coming. No one does. It could be world chaos, war, violence in the streets, and difficult marriages. Who knows. Whatever comes by the good sovereign hand of God, is not new. Men have been violent over politics for centuries. Wickedness isn’t new. Man’s heart desires vile and putrid things. It’s not new.
Why This Verse Affirms Gods Sovereignty
Nothing catches God by surprise. Not medical test results. Not economic results or world chaos. Many Christians go about every day working and doing life. No social media giants. No IG influences. Yet, family troubles or church troubles or work and health troubles come. Nothing occurs outside of God’s plan.
Troubles aren’t new. And that which has been will be. That which is done will be done. This does not imply my complete inactivity to do, search, or pursue something. If I have an illness, I will go to the doctor to see if there’s a treatment or plan. I won’t just sit on the couch and say that which has been done will be done. But it’s not new. Troubles aren’t new. Crises aren’t new. War isn’t new.
I will press on this year and the next, knowing God isn’t coming up with something new. He is in control. He is authoring every circumstance for His glory.