The "Happy New Year" Greeting

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
2 Corinthians 8:21

"The old year has gone. The words, “I wish you a Happy New Year,” are repeated far and near, .... In a world like ours, this New Year's greeting seems more appropriate than the “Merry Christmas,” so lately echoed from lip to lip.

... But whatever the cares and sorrows of life, whatever its mistakes and errors, the words, “A Happy New Year,” uttered as an expression of love and respect, fall pleasantly upon the ear.....

And yet, are not these kindly wishes often forgotten with the utterance?

How often we fail of carrying their import into the daily life, and thus aid in their fulfilment!

----How often the New Year's greeting is uttered by insincere lips, from hearts that would not forego one selfish gratification in order to make others happy!"

E.G.W. 1903

Deuteronomy 11:12 - a New Year's Reminder

The eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it,
---from the beginning of the year
---even unto the end of the year.
Deuteronomy 11:12

"The first word that glitters before us like a jewel in a crown, is that word “eyes,” “The eyes of the Lord.”

What is meant here?
Surely not mere omniscience.
In that sense the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good.
God sees Hagar as well as Sarah, and beholds Judas when he gives the traitorous kiss quite as surely as he beholds the holy woman when she washes the feet of the Savior with her tears.
No, there is love in the text to sweeten observation.
---The expression of the text teaches us that the Lord takes a personal interest in us.
---The eyes that observe us are God’s own eyes, the guardian under whose protection we are placed is God himself.

Beloved, if God looks at us,

how much more ought we to look at him!

 

This year let your motto be, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,.... Matt.6:33.”

Charles Spurgoen