Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? I wonder where the tradition comes from? The perfectionist in me really loves the New Year. It’s like a completely clean slate. A fresh start. A brand new year that I haven’t messed up yet. Wow. Maybe this year I’ll be able to do everything perfectly.
Nope. I know I won’t be able to do everything perfectly, so maybe I shouldn’t make any resolutions. I’m just going to be disappointed right?
This is the kind of thinking that I am sometimes plagued with. My pastor’s wife uses a little phrase that I’d like to borrow. She says that we need to preach ourselves a little sermon. So, I just entered "perfect" into the search bar in Blue Letter Bible. What a wonderful reminder of God’s grace that I got as I read the verses.
Who is perfect?
[He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he. (Deut. 32:4)
[As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him. (Ps. 18:30)
How am I made perfect?
God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect. (2 Sam. 22:33)
[It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. (Ps. 18:32)
The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. (Ps. 19:7)
The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Ps. 138:8)
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3)
I know that God alone is perfect. I know that I have been given Christ’s perfect righteousness through His shed blood. I know that He is sanctifying me. I can rest in His perfection and don’t have to try to be perfect in my own strength!
We need the Lord's grace so much, don't we? How fortunate that He draws near to us and supplies us His strength and grace!
Michelle from the TOS Crew
Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving a comment :-). I loved this post – thanks for the great reminders! I just noticed you also live in NC. We live in a NE suburb of Charlotte. Where do you live? We're also the same age 😀
thanks for posting on my blog!! 🙂 my daughter is very, very happy at this point in her life. it's so nice when God smiles on you!!! 🙂 have a great weekend!!!