Today is the first day of a new year. As we begin a new year, we must once again remember the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NET).

Every year people make new year’s resolutions, but most resolutions are broken before the first week of the new year is finished. However, unless we make a commitment to begin something, we will never finish that something.

The first day of the new year is a good time to look forward to the things that are coming and to the things that are possible. As Christians, we should be grateful to God for his abundant love. As the writer of Lamentations wrote: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

One thing people of faith should do in the new year is to develop a better and deeper relationship with God. One way to accomplish this goal is to know what God is doing in the world by reading his Word daily. I have challenged the readers of my blog to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in 2014. Many readers have accepted this challenge.

Another thing Christians can do in the new year is to touch the life of one person in need. There are hundreds of people around us who are hurting.

Many people have lost their jobs and this causes problems to families and brings stress to relationships. In situations such as these, one word of encouragement becomes a healing ointment to the soul.

Others are facing difficult times because of health problems, broken relationships, tragedies that bring anguish and pain, and many other situations that cannot be described with mere words. In these situations, people need to know the reality of a caring God and the love of a wonderful savior. May the new year become a time of ministry and service to others in the name of Christ.

I want to wish you a happy new year. May this new year bring you much joy and happiness. May your life be blessed and filled with love and gratitude. Thank you for following my blog and for allowing me to teach you the Old Testament on a regular basis.

Happy New Year.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary