Can We Really Start Over?

When I started this post, I really started it with a different track in mind. Yet, with the start of the new year, my mind is elsewhere and in a place this is probably more prominent in many people's minds. 

How much of the "New year, new me" mantra is really true after the 2020 dumpster fire of a year?

I guess it could be to a point. There is always room to grow and develop as a person and the time marker of a new year is a very traditional way to start. 

However, until we (as a country) choose to make some changes in the way we treat people, nothing will really change. 

Last night when I was doing my Bible reading I read through 1Kings 8. Within that chapter Solomon prays over the newly built temple, house, and other buildings that have just been completed. He dedicated everything to the LORD and then continues to pray for the Israelites. There are some interesting highlights within that prayer that I fully believe we (as a nation) need to do for our country to move forward. 

"30And list to the plea of your servant and of your people, Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

"31If a man sins against his neighbor and his made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your alter in this house, 32then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness." ~ 1Kings 8: 30-32

The first thing we need to do as a nation is pray. Not just pray for what we want but pray for forgiveness. Christians (myself included) have a bad habit of putting things on God when in reality it is our measure and we are not fully following what God has laid out before us. 

Don't believe me? Take a look at those who like to post on social media. How many people actually pray for someone or a situation when they say they will? Often times people post their emoji ( and in times of a great tragedy a candle) along with the repetitive term "praying" and then do nothing except scroll to the next post. This is considered an abomination to the LORD. Don't believe me? Look at Proverbs 6:16-19. 

"16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." 

He hates those who lie so much that it is mentioned twice. When we say we are going to do something and then we don't, we have lied. We are told that if we promise something, then we need to hold to it. 

"2If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth."                 ~ Numbers 30:2

We all have trespassed against others and God. We need his forgiveness. We need to start this year with prayers for forgiveness. We need to start this year with humility and not humiliation towards others. We need to remember that we are very short when it comes to God's measure and we need his redemption. 

"14if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

As for the rest of 1 Kings 8, Solomon lays out many things that we have seen happen in our country already: 

• Drought (v. 35)
• Famine (v. 37)
• Pestilence (v. 37)
• Plague (v. 37)
• Sickness (v. 37)
• Enemies gaining rule (v. 46)
• Becoming captive (v. 46)

There is one solution that the wisest man in history gives, pray. Pray for repentance (v. 48-52). He even asks that God hear the prayers of non-believers that turn to him for forgiveness and repentance (v. 42-43). 

 A final thought that I feel compelled to point out as a reminder: We need to stop using the New Testament as a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. The New Testament does not wipe out the Old Testament. 

"17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." ~ Matthew 5:17

While we are washed as white as snow and made new with our faith, we are nowhere near perfect. We are more cognizant of God's law and how often we fail to follow his standards for us. Christ is our salvation, not our bail money.