The New Year represents a season of newness. We all yearn for new beginnings. We desire to forget the things of yesteryear and look forward. We recognize that it's a must to leave behind the old in order to step into the new thing that God has for us. At this point in time, we deeply understand the words of the Apostle Paul, “Forgetting what is behind, and straining towards what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3: 13)
This is a time of repentance. How can we start anew unless we have turned away from old sinful ways? Unless we repent we forgo the gift of freedom that Christ has placed before us. The glory of God, His very presence will shine a light on what needs to be made right with Him. Consider the words of the Prophet Isaiah after being in the presence of God:
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” ~ Isaiah 6: 5
This is what a visit from God does, it helps us to get right. We all need this so that we can walk in spirit and truth. The mission that God has entrusted with each one of us depends on His cleansing. Any other way and we bring filth into God’s work. The confession of Isaiah is followed by the act of an angel.
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”~ Isaiah 6: 6 - 7
The lamb of God, Jesus Christ takes away the sins of men (John 1: 29). When we confess our sins to Jesus, He is willing and able to wash us and make us whole. Notice how one minute Isaiah was ready to die because of the burden of guilt in the presence of God; and in the next minute confession clears him and he is ready to work for the Lord. Isaiah is unburdened.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” ~ Isaiah 6: 8
I have always loved this verse. “Send me, Lord!” That’s the heart of every believer. It just never occurred to me what had led up to this moment. The glory and light of God had revealed sin in Isaiah. The confession of sin by Isaiah resulted in his cleansing and the atonement of sin. Washed as snow, Isaiah was ready to serve God. This is newness!
Take off everything that weighs down as we begin a new year. By the confession of our sin, we are made whole by faith. Our sin has already been paid for, we shall bear the guilt no more. When the Lord calls out, whom shall I send in 2021, may we have the same conviction as Isaiah in saying:
“SEND ME, LORD!”