At the dawn of another year, our thoughts go back to year 2008 which we have completed and the year 2009 which we have begun. We are called to look back with thanks giving to God and look forward with trust in Him.
The Psalmist in Psalm 29:11 assures us that our Lord gives 3 gifts to us, the verses 3-10 (Psalm 29:3-10) tell us how powerful and mighty voice of the Lord is such a mighty and powerful God is willing to give us such wonderful gifts.
Firstly, He gives us His strength. Many of us are weak in so many things and we long for some one to help us receive that strength. In Isaiah 40:29 we read “He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increases strength” Thus the power of God enables us to achieve great things for the Glory of his name and for the extension of His Kingdom.
Secondly, he gives us His blessings. Blessings make our life better than what we are today and prepares us for a better tomorrow. Today we ask God for more material blessings than spiritual blessings. St. Paul says “He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”(Ephesians 1:3b) and “we are called to transform our material blessings into spiritual blessings” (Romans 15:27).
Thirdly, he gives us His peace in the midst of all the crisis and the chaos we face every day He gives us His peace “which the world cannot give nor take it away” (John 14:27) On the first Easter evening our Lord came and stood among the disciples who were behind closed doors and told them “peace be unto you” (John 20:19b) and the disciples were happy that they saw the Lord (John 20:20). Jesus told His disciples to put their troubled minds at rest and that he needed them to carry on the Good news to the world. (John 20:21) and that he could still trust them to do His work. He never mentioned anything about what happened on Maundy Thursday night or on Good Friday.
May this same living Lord prepare each one of us to receive these 3 gifts and make us channels of His abundant blessings to those who need Him in our land.
