For some in our world, each new year really does present great opportunities for victory, success and excitement. They have the means, and perhaps the proper skills, to allow this to be so. Most in this group reside in America or a nation similar to her. For them, 2014 is something to look forward to with great anticipation and expectation. They are typically known as the so-called “haves”.
But what about the others? How about the many who have little or nothing? What about those with an endless past that is simply bleak and a future that does not appear any better? What about those for whom a new year means just more misery and defeat? Can these others say, and really mean, “Happy New Year”?
The Bible speaks about some very distinct “others” in Hebrews chapter eleven. After recording a specific list of those who achieved great spiritual victories and earthly accomplishments, the author then turns the focus upon these so-called “others”. Verses 35-38 share a bit about their seriously difficult life experiences.
“Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”
Although this sounds like just another Bible story from the distant past, these were real people with real problems and real feelings. They knew pain, frustration and fear as we all do. And today there are still scores of others in our word still facing similar fates in this coming new year. But these others in Hebrews had something unique and something powerful. They had a true godly faith, one that drove them and supported them when times became unbearable – or remained unbearable. They were God’s special “others” making them as precious and worthy as those listed just before them in this enlightening Scriptural account.
2014 will bring great triumph, success and joy to many, externally speaking. For still others, likely not. But the goal for all of God’s people in the new year should be a desire and willingness to be the embodiment of Philippians 4:11-13. The Apostle Paul, who himself had often been one of the “others” wrote, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
If you are a Christian in this brand new calendar year, do realize who owns you and all you own in Christ! Realize that He is the loving author of your good times and is your living comforter in the hard times. He alone can secure a level of being inward contentedness that the world cannot ever grasp. His is your Savior and your Lord always – whether in times of great blessing or when sharing hard times with the “others”. And do faithfully pray for those in this latter category knowing full well that a day may well come this year when you covet their intervention! As the songwriter wisely put it, “We are only a phone call away from being brought to our knees.”
Have a blessed and contented 2014!
Bill Breckenridge
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