2023-Awaken the Dawn

True Confession: I am a morning person.  I’m typically up well before dawn.  I situate myself with my Bible, my computer, and my coffee so I can watch the sun rise (which in Florida typically includes seeing the sun). Watching the sunrise each day sets my heart to right as the Bible tells me, “This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24. 

For the new day that accompanies another new year, I find myself asking whether we can hope 2023 will be “better” than 2022.  The truth is I don’t know because it’s largely in how one defines “better.”

If it’s just another year, yes, hope dawns with each new year and individual commitments to strive for better, be more successful, godly, and honest in our living.  Even if difficulties come our way, Psalm 118 (NIV) shows us in Whom we have our confidence, in Whom we rightly place our trust, and of Whom to be afraid.  It doesn’t paint a life free from struggles.

Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.”

 5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; He brought me into a spacious place. 6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The LORD is with me; He is my Helper. I look in triumph on my enemies… 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD Helped me.

 14 The LORD is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.

 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! 16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” 17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. 18 The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death. 19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.

 21 I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

 24 The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! 26 Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless You. 27 The LORD is God, and He has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, and I will exalt You. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; his love endures forever.

Even if this new year is the very threshold of tribulation, I wonder how our hope would be different.  There’d be a renewed urgency to share the good news.  A reinforced need to trust in God.  A rejoicing in what the Lord has done.  So, whether the new year presents us with triumph or tribulation, our response should be exactly the same.

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.  I will praise You, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples.  For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:8-11

Happy New Year!