Proverbs 11:9-10 

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. ¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

New Year

What is so significant that people all around the world celebrate New Year?

Accordingly, the Babylonians celebrated the first New Year 4,000 years ago. They believed that their world had been cleaned to prepare for the New Year and a new spring. Approximately 45 BC or 45 years before Christ was born on earth, Julius Caesar declared January as the first month of the year in honor of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. And in 1582 AD, Pope Gregory XIII officially established January 1 as New Year’s Day. So personally, why should you celebrate New Year?

We celebrate New Year as a time to reflect on what the Lord has done for us in the past year: his grace, provision and guidance, right? During celebration of New Year, our hearts should be filled with gratitude and praise. Our God Almighty should be the focus of our celebration of New Year.  What do you think?

We can learn from the Israelites on what it declares in Deuteronomy 16:1. ¹Observe the month of Aviv and celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God, because in the month of Aviv he brought you out of Egypt by night.

            The month of Aviv is also called the month of Nisan; Aviv or Nisan is the first month in the Jewish calendar which falls sometime on March and April. Do Israelites celebrate the first day of their first month on the year? They celebrate Passover on the 14^th day of the first month, the month of Aviv or Nisan. They praise and thank God that he brought them out of the Egyptian slavery.

            As Christians, it is advisable to celebrate the time when God has freed us from the slavery of sin, right? If you cannot remember the exact date when you are totally assured that God has freed you from the slavery of sin, you may wish to celebrate it on New Year’s Day to personally thank and praise God.

            The world celebrates New Year’s Eve with loud noise. How about you, do you seriously enjoy shouting aloud that New Year has come? Or would you rather shout for joy because you are totally assured that you have been freed from sin?

            Excitement loudly expressed momentarily could be temporary means for some individuals to forget hardship, struggles and concerns of life for a while. Can we take celebration of New Year as opportunity to testify of the transformation that the Lord has done in our life? Surely, when the Lord mandated us to witness; he had already prepared potential believers to observe our actions and behavior. New Year or other special occasions, pray that you behave in godly righteousness.

1.  Righteous Escape

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

            Righteous behavior is opposed to godless behavior that destroys neighbors. There are a lot of stories of people quarreling with their neighbors. Is it hard for them to find peace with each other? Yet, it is amusing that they endure living next to people they do not like. Quarrel with neighbors is often observed in apartment buildings. Most often, noise causes quarrel among neighbors.

            Well, righteous people can escape or avoid quarrelsome behavior. Surely, even godless individuals can appreciate friendly and peaceful environment, right?

Let’s reflect seriously what it challenges us in Matthew 5:9-10, ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

            Christ is the Prince of Peace. His Holy Spirit lives in us and inspires us to promote peace. We behave in godly righteousness. Our behavior should always be filled with love and compassion, even if godless people try to bother us.

Loud Music

            In a TV show, a man who lived alone in an apartment played loud music. His lady neighbor was upset and went to confront him. All of a sudden, the loud music stopped; the upset neighbor heard moaning and found out that the man needed her help. She called for ambulance and brought to a hospital the neighbor who annoyed her with loud music. They have better social contact afterward.

            In the next episode, the lady neighbor fainted. The neighbor she helped came to her rescue; the man brought her to the hospital for recovery.

            Let reflect on what it teaches us in Proverbs 27:10, ¹⁰Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

            It’s always beneficial for us when we behave righteously despite unpleasant behavior of others. If the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus the Prince of Peace lives in us, he inspires us to always promote peace and righteous behavior. What do you think? Will the Lord blesses anyone who promotes peace and righteous behavior? How do you interpret blessing? Does blessing include material prosperity?

2.  Righteous Prosper

¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

It is very beneficial for us practically, if our nation prospers, right? It is also favorable for us if our government officials behave in godly righteousness. The life of elected government officials is always under scrutiny. The media may scrutinize them consistently with hope that they may perform their responsibilities well.

Together, let’s earnestly pay attention to what it says in Jeremiah 29:7:

 ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

As responsible citizens and as children of God, we should regularly pray for peace and prosperity of our city. We pray that God blesses government officials with wisdom pertaining to domestic and international affairs. We also appreciate responsible government officials who are not involved in criminal activities.

Mayor

            Sometime ago, a video obtained by the city police exposed the undesirable behavior of certain mayor of the big city. One politician suggested that the mayor should be charged with crime or the mayor should take a leave of absence until the issue is resolved. Likewise in a smaller city, it was reported that a councillor was convicted for tax evasion; he was forced to resign from his office.

There’s no shortage of reports about politicians who had been charged with crime. So, we should not wait but pray regularly for government leaders so that they may sincerely serve responsibly instead of involvement in criminal activities.

It admonishes us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4: “¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Praying for all those in authority is urgent. It is good to pray for all those in authority and it pleases God. Surely the Lord rewards prayer for authorities.

We pray for government officials to come to the knowledge of truth sooner. This year onward, pray that God may inspire you to personally commit to pray for our government officials including our church leaders.

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