The Blessing Yahweh Gives [New Year’s Eve Service]

The last Sunday of 2019 is a time to look back over the year. Even as a great windstorm arises and the boat is about to sink, Jesus sleeps on undisturbed, and the disciples wake him and cry out in complaint.

Being afraid and complaining when trouble comes is entirely different from believing that Jesus is there in the boat and giving commands by the word. The disciples had already heard and seen the word of truth, yet they never tried giving the command themselves and did nothing but complain to Jesus, and Jesus, seeing this, rebuked their lack of faith. Every problem met that year, too, is not something to complain about; it is each person’s own part, which they must deal with themselves by holding fast to the word.

When the time given is not simply let slip away but filled with faith that walks with God, that time becomes meaningful. God has promised that blessing will come upon those who listen to his word, wherever they go and in whatever they do. In the new year, may the church believe that promise and live with its self-esteem kept intact.