Beginning

(Proverbs 1:7 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

On New Year’s Day we talk about new years resolutions, or we used to.  I haven’t heard much about it lately.  The date is arbitrary.  We have Chinese New Year and the Jews have their own date.  Ours was probably something that grew out of the shortest day of the year toward the end of December.  It is a time of “beginning” (7225).  It is a time to start over.  It is a time to remind ourselves of our priorities and the basic principles that guide us.

It is a time to renew our “fear” (3374) of the Lord.

So?  We don’t know what the year holds.  There will be joy and disappointment.  There may be tragedy.  There may be serendipity.  Face it all with a healthy fear of God in your hearts so that you can face the year with hope.