December 31What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people — Psa. 116:12-14.
The close of the year is an excellent time for the making of new resolutions for the year to come. Let us, beloved brethren, make plenty of good resolves respecting what we shall be willing to be, to do, to suffer, to fellowship with our Lord; that we may by His grace make of it the best year thus far of our lives—the year of largest hopes, of largest endeavors, and by the Lord's grace, of largest successes in self-sacrifice, in overcoming the world and its spirit, in vanquishing self and the desires of the flesh, in resisting the Adversary, and in glorifying our Lord and blessing His people—Z '99, 286 (R 2551). The present benefits of the Lord to us are His creative, providential, redemptive, instructional, justifying, sanctifying and delivering blessings; while His future benefits to us center in our attaining the Kingdom, in disposition, nature, sights, honors, associations, inheritance and office. The first return that we would make for the benefits is to take the cup of salvation. A cup usually symbolizes blissful and woeful experiences. The cup of salvation represents the experiences of bliss and woe connected with our obtaining our salvation. We will, therefore, with thankful and appreciative hearts accept such experiences. Further, we will call upon the name of the Lord, trustfully accepting His grace, mercy and truth, in our time of need. Finally, we will fulfill our general consecration vow of deadness to self and the world and aliveness to God, as well as our special vows under our general vow. We will do this now in the interests of all God's people, now and hereafter—P '36, 167. Parallel passages: Psa. 51:12, 13; 103:2, 3; Isa. 6:5-8; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 6:20; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15; Psa. 23:5; 63:6; Luke 22:17, 18, 20; Matt. 20:22, 23; 26:39, 42; John 18:11; Num. 15:2-5; Deut. 23:21; Jonah 2:9; Psa. 66:13-15. Hymns: 325, 224, 324, 8, 47, 10, 277. Poems of Dawn, 275: New Year's Wishes. Tower Reading: Z '14, 279 (R 5538). Questions: What were the week's experiences in line with this text? How were they met? What helped or hindered therein? In what did they result? |
|
NEW YEAR'S WISHES
WHAT shall I wish thee?
Treasures of earth?
Songs in the spring-time,
Pleasure and mirth?
Flowers on thy pathway,
Skies ever clear?
Would this ensure thee
A happy new year?
What shall I wish thee?
What can be found,
Bringing thee sunshine
All the year round?
Where is the treasure,
Lasting and dear,
That shall ensure thee
A happy new year?
Faith that increaseth,
Walking in light,
Hope that aboundeth,
Happy and bright;
Love that is perfect,
Casting out fear:
These shall ensure thee
A happy new year!
Peace in the Savior,
Rest at His feet,
Smile of His countenance
Radiant and sweet;
Joy in His presence!
Christ ever near!
This will ensure thee
A happy new year!
WHAT shall I wish thee?
Treasures of earth?
Songs in the spring-time,
Pleasure and mirth?
Flowers on thy pathway,
Skies ever clear?
Would this ensure thee
A happy new year?
What shall I wish thee?
What can be found,
Bringing thee sunshine
All the year round?
Where is the treasure,
Lasting and dear,
That shall ensure thee
A happy new year?
Faith that increaseth,
Walking in light,
Hope that aboundeth,
Happy and bright;
Love that is perfect,
Casting out fear:
These shall ensure thee
A happy new year!
Peace in the Savior,
Rest at His feet,
Smile of His countenance
Radiant and sweet;
Joy in His presence!
Christ ever near!
This will ensure thee
A happy new year!
