There are different ways to look at a new year. The most common is to anticipate a better year than the last one. That is simply the thinking of the optimist. The other side is the pessimist. For Christians there is a mixture of both, but with a major difference. Those in Christ have optimism of a unique sort.

What do I mean? All in Christ know who is in charge and ultimately where they are going. But, as Pilgrim stated in Bunyan's book, Pilgrim's Progress, "God did not promise us an easy journey, but a glorious destination." We don't expect our journey to be free of difficulties, but regardless of our circumstances, God has been with us and will be with us. If you recount the years of your life, you know that each one was filled with blessings, but also with trials and sometimes deep sorrows.

This is life in a fallen world, yet with Christ by our side we are promised, "He that begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Christ" (Phil. 1:6). We walk by faith and not by sight. There is also an immediate important side to our outlook. The verses promising God’s care are always found amidst texts defining the Christian as one dedicated to live for Christ and persevere in our walk doing His will. God is gracious to us, especially when we understand that our primary goal is not to live trouble free and be occupied with self-indulgence. We are not to spend our opportunities in life in the pursuit of pleasures. We are slaves of the living God!

Our thinking on living is strengthened by what Paul said in Acts 13:36, "For David after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid among the fathers.” This statement reminds us that just like King David our life is under an exacting purpose. God is gracious to bless us along the way in many ways, but that is not our primary goal. We are not placed here to be comfortable.

This past year a number in our church family went on to be with the Lord. We miss these beloved ones, recognize they have finished their course, and also know where they are. Let us have the realization that like them we will not depart this life until we have each completed God’s purpose for us. We should view this life as a race like that spoken of in Hebrews 12 with our eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. Not only do we have this serving mandate, but we also are encouraged from Scripture that the coming of the Lord is near.

What would God have us to be about as we approach another year? A person’s last words are considered very important. We have the last words of Christ to us. These are found in Revelation 22, the final chapter of the Bible. I will begin with Revelation 22:12, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” We will be rewarded within His eternal kingdom based on our faithfulness in serving Him in this life (1 Cor. 3:9-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; 2 John 8).

With the joy of knowing that our future is secure, and because He has commanded our allegiance with promised rewards, this should produce in us diligence, obedience, and dedicated service in these last days! He then says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Vs. 13). This is speaking of His infinite nature and sovereignty. He controls everything past, present, and future. Nothing can escape Him, or to put another way, He is ever mindful of us. We cannot slip out of His view or personal care. He is with us always. He will be beside us moving into 2024.

In Revelation 22:14 and following we see the priority of Christ. “Blessed are those who wash their robes.” The idea of “wash their robes” is to be freed from sin. This is God’s exclusive work of imputation, but also it echoes our involvement and work to press on in sanctification. He says, “So that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.” Access to the city and gates are related by contrast with Adam & Eve who were kept out of the garden.  All in Christ will have citizenship and a role in Christ’s coming glorious eternal kingdom.

The “tree of life” is representative of all that is good, wonderful, wholesome, and eternal. The emphasis here is for our continued awareness of the awaiting kingdom. The next two verses of Revelation 22, verses 15-16 address the sacredness of the Word of God reflecting its infinite importance. We must not tamper with it or add to it but hold it as a treasure to study to know Him, be obedient to Him, and do all we can to help those around us receive His message.

In Revelation 22:17, He says, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say ‘Come.’” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” The word, “Come” is repeated three times. He means come to Him for true salvation. He is showing His willingness and desire to receive sinners, and by His last words His priority. It was for this purpose He died at Calvary and rose again. We notice that it is not only Christ urging, but the Holy Spirit is urging, and importantly the “bride” which is His church (us) is also urging, “Come.”

This is Christ’s final plea. Something of which we, His bride, are to prioritize as well. Not only is it there for us to appreciate and be sure we are truly right with Him, but to remind us of those around us who are foolishly living life without Him. Do we see the magnitude of Christ’s emphasis here? What is important in 2024? The same that has always been important – a right relation with Christ. This also stresses our usefulness to pray for and encourage others to come to Him. We don’t know what 2024 will hold for any of us.

We do know that if we are privileged to be one of His, we should live faithfully and obediently to Him. God help us not to be side-tracked, but to be about His work in whatever situation of calling and influence we have been placed. Christ and His mission are of greatest importance in 2024. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).