What’s New?

“There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Another new year is upon us. For many, January 1st is a day of optimism. A new year means new hopes and new opportunities—a fresh start.

What begins with optimism often turns into disappointment. Our goal to get healthy ends after one day of exercise and two days of eating raw carrots. Quitting smoking doesn’t work either. We had hoped family and marriage problems would improve, but they don’t. Work is still work and school is still school.

Our world is constantly changing. Telephones become cell phones which become smartphones which become smart watches. Governments rise and fall. Presidents come and go. Brad Pitt turns 60. Yet as wise old King Solomon once wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

What he meant is that things don’t really change much here on earth. Human nature doesn’t change. The names and places of the wars change, but the selfishness and greed which spark them do not. Throughout human history, the rich have exploited the poor, children have rebelled against parents, and marriages have crumbled.

Though this year may seem new and different, not much will change. Politicians will still let us down. Work will still be difficult and stressful. Society will still praise sin and call Christians intolerant. People you know and love will still get sick and die.

There is nothing new under the sun.

Thankfully, our God, who dwells beyond the sun, promises us something new. The prophet Jeremiah tells us, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22,23).

God’s mercies are new every morning. Every day he forgives us anew for the same old dumb sins we continually do day after day. Every day he provides us with new and special blessings we don’t deserve. Even as we struggle with the same old problems, God gives us new hope and new strength to face them through his Word.

Even more importantly, because of Jesus, he promises us a home in heaven where everything will always be new (Revelation 21:5).

This year may bring you wonderful new opportunities and blessings, but it will also be more of the same old problems and struggles. Even so, know that God’s mercies for you are new every morning. He promises to forgive you every day. Though surrounded by problems, you will see new blessings from God each day if you open your eyes.

May God bless you richly this year as you deal with the same old sin of this world and as you see God’s wonderful mercies which are new every morning.

Prayer:

Merciful God, help me not to despair this year as I see the troubles and problems around me. There really is nothing new under the sun. Help me also to recognize your mercies which are new every day. Amen.

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