After Christmas--A New Year

December 30, 2018                   NOTES NOT EDITED

The After Christmas Santa 

Psalm 16:8-11

SIS—God has greater gifts for 2019 than what Santa brought in 2018.

           

Well, Christmas has come and gone.  Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?  Have you braved the mobs at the mall for the “after-Christmas sales” to get in on the great bargains?  What if I told you that Santa Claus decided to do it all over again?  What if I told you that you could still ask for and get what you wanted for Christmas?  Here we are on the doorstep of a “New Year.”  If you could have what you wanted for the New Year – if you could climb up on old Santa’s lap for another go ‘round, what would you ask for.  Our text this morning has some great suggestions for a New Year’s Wish list. 

Our text, Psalm 16, was one of the most popular psalms of the apostles.  Peter quoted from it at Pentecost, as an Old Testament promise of the resurrection (Ac 2:25-31).  Paul also quotes it in the Book of Acts for the same reason (13:35).  Why was this psalm so popular?  Simply stated, it addresses the deepest needs of human kind: the need for stability, confidence, and companionship.  Let’s read that Psalm together beginning in verse 8:

⁸ I keep the Lord in mind  always.  Because He is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken. ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. ¹⁰ For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay.  ¹¹ You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

This Psalm addresses three important human needs. They are a “wish list” of sorts for the New Year.    I want to ask you four important questions as you think about what you want for the New Year.

1.  First, would you like the STABILITY that God offers?  (V 8)

⁸ I keep the Lord in mind  always. 
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken

Over four decades ago Alvin Toffler wrote a disturbing and insightful book about the future entitled, Future Shock.  Toffler foresaw many of the technological and political events that are taking place today–most of which are foreboding and not so good.  Toffler envisioned a world in chaos from changes taking place at breakneck speed.  Toffler envisioned a global community that would be in economic and political turmoil.  Toffler predicted the pressures that such great change would bring on individuals.  In light of the tremendous turmoil and change that he saw coming, Toffler suggested that people would need “stability zones” in their lives to face the tremendous changes.

But, perhaps three millennia before Toffler, the Psalmist had already predicted man’s need for the stability God offers. The Psalmist realized the need for a level place in life that offered rest.  The words, “I keep” (I have set, NIV) means to “make level or even.”

In this bumpy rollercoaster ride we call life, we need “level spaces” where we can catch our breath and reorient our lives.  We are like a delicate Grandfather Clock that will not run unless it is even and level.  I was reading about a family that purchased just such a clock.  It was expensive and majestic, but it would not keep the correct time.  In frustration, the father did what all good father’s do when a new item won’t work—he took out the instructions and read them.  The instructions said, “You must level the clock before it will run.”  It took the father three months to level the clock so that it would keep the right time.

A level, even, balanced relationship with God provides the stability that allows our lives to run properly.  Some of your lives are not running properly because your relationship with God is “out of balance.”  Your commitment to God is not level and even, so your life does not run right.

When problems or crises come, and the waves of life crush in upon your life, an even relationship with God will provide stability, so that you will not be shaken and sunk.

            I ask you, would you like the stability God offers?

2.  Second, would you like the confidence God provides (v9)

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices;

my body also rests securely.

How confident are you about the future?  Stability is who you are; confidence relates to how you operate.

We live in a world teetering on the brink of disaster.  Congress and the President seem content to hit the accelerator as we approach the “Fiscal Cliff.”  Nobody is quite sure what disasters are waiting for the U.S. at this “Cliff,” but I can’t imagine it will be good.  Our nation’s economy is shakier than Grandma on a skateboard.  The Stockmarket looks like a roller-coaster ride at Six Flags.

Globally, the situation is no better.  India, Pakistan and Iran continue rattling their sabers – their NUCLEAR SABERS.  North Korea remains a nuclear threat to the world.  We cannot afford to hide our head in the sand.  We must face the day before us.  Are you ready?  Are you confident?  Does your confidence lead to joy and gladness, as did the Psalmist’s? Even if you could hear death at your doorstep – are you confident?  The Psalmist said,

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. ¹⁰ For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay.

The Psalmist looked into his future and faced the greatest enemy a mortal can face–death.  For the Jews, death was a dark and unconscious sleep in a place called Sheol.  For a Jew the worst possible outcome in the face of death was to be “Forgotten by God.”  Yet, this Jew, the Psalmist was confident that even in Sheol, God would remember him.  When life presses in upon you through sickness, sadness, or perhaps the thought of death, would you like the confidence that God provides?

When your financial situation is not what you wished it were and you find it harder and harder to make ends meet, are you confident that God will not forget you?  When your children stray off the path you wish for them, are you confident God will not forget you?  When you and your spouse sailing rough seas, are you confident that God will not forget you?

Job, the Patriarch was confident God would remember him.

(Job 19:23-25)  ²³ I wish that my words were written down,

that they were recorded on a scroll ²⁴ or were inscribed in stone forever by an iron stylus and lead! ²⁵ But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust  at last.

Job had lost everything, family, money, and health. But, in all of his loss, he found confidence in God.  Paul, the Apostle, was confident God would not forget.

(Phil 1:6)  ⁶ I am sure of this, (“being confident,” NIV) that He who started a good work  in you  will carry it on to completion  until the day of Christ Jesus.

“Being confident” is a very important concept in the Word of God, especially as Paul viewed it.  The way Paul phrased this verse as the Holy Spirit impressed upon his heart is very significant.  Literally it means, “I was once persuaded to trust God and God continues to persuade me daily, and will always persuade me in the future that I can trust Him fully.”

One of the greatest coaches to every walk on a college football field was Lou Holtz of the Arkansas Razorbacks.  One time he made this comment: “I have a lifetime contract.  That means I can’t be fired  [part way] through the game if we’re ahead and moving the ball!”  Holtz was never fired because he always seemed to perform.  He was confident because of His performance.  It made him a great coach, but confidence based upon performance will never cut it eternally.

Our confidence is in God.  It is resolute and absolute.  Our trust in God can provide the kind of confidence that even death, itself, cannot shake.  Have you ever watched a superhero on TV.  They take every thing the enemy can fire, and they just keep on moving forward.  They cannot be shaken or stopped.  That’s the kind of confidence that faith in God provides.

Confidence is the primary ingredient to success. Confidence feeds the imagination and breeds ingenuity.  Nothing ever happens of great value until someone is confident enough to try–to step out on thin ice, or break new ground.  Without confidence, we cannot breed great leaders because the fear of failure will stymy creativity and stop ingenuity. 

All great achievers, whether in sports, medicine, or industry have one thing in common:  a I-believe-I-can attitude.

You will never succeed unless your heart has a confident connection with God.  Then, you must avoid short-circuiting that confidence you feel in your heart by allowing your lips to commit treason.

Verse 9 tells us that confidence affects the tongue,  ⁹and my tongue rejoices.  (LXX has “tongue.”  Peter quotes this in Acts 2:25ff).

           

It is treason for any professing Christian to use the words,  “I can’t.” The Bible teaches us the opposite.  It says, “I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

Not only can you have stability and confidence . . .

3.  Would you like the companionship God offers?  (V10)

¹⁰you will not abandon me.

Have you ever been lonely?  Are you lonely now? When everyone else was enjoying the festivities of the Christmas season, did you feel like an old discarded shoe?  If you have ever felt loneliness, you know how painful it can be.  To feel abandoned causes great distress and fear. 

A few years ago, a doctor was asked what he thought was the most devastating disease facing people today?  His answer was startling.  He said, “Loneliness.”  Despite the fact that we are most often surrounded by crowds, even on the freeway; and, despite the fact that most people live in neighborhoods and communities, the number one disease facing people, according to that doctor, is loneliness.

God made us to be social creatures.  He, Himself, said: “It is not good for man to be alone.”  God created us to have fellowship with Him and with others.  God created us for companionship.

I remember reading a very touching story. A man had decided to visit his older brother.  His older brother lived alone.  He had few, if any friends.  He was wealthy and lonely.  While visiting the younger brother ran short of cash and borrowed 50 bucks.  He was going to pay it back 5 dollars a week after he got home.  Every week the younger brother wrote a nice letter to his lonely older brother and put in a check for 5 dollars.  The older brother wrote and said how much he enjoyed getting the letters (he never mentioned the money).  The younger brother had never written much before.  This went on for 10 weeks until the last letter and check for 5 bucks was mailed.  The week after that check was mailed the younger brother received an envelope from his older brother: in it was a check for 50 bucks! The older brother did not need the money – he needed the company!

We NEED the companionship of God.  The companionship of others is also of great benefit, but if you put your trust in human relationships alone, you will be hurt.  Wise Old Solomon understood this.  He said,

(Prov 18:24)  ²⁴ A man with many friends may be harmed,

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

That friend that sticks closer than a brother is Jesus. As we sit on the portal of a New Year peering off into the distance at the unknown circumstances of life, would you like the companionship that God offers through Jesus Christ, His Son?  Would you like to have Jesus as your BFF!  for 2019 and the rest of eternity?

Life is a sweeter journey when we have a close companion to hold our hand.  It is sweetEST when that Hand is Jesus!

Would you like the companionship that faith in God offers.

As you face the New Year, full of uncertainties and full of promise, what would you like?  Would you like the stability faith in God offers?  Would you like the confidence faith in God offers?  Would you like the companionship that faith in God offers?  If your answer is “yes,” then I have a final question to ask you. 

4.  Would you embrace fully God’s purpose for your life? (v 11)

(Psa 16:11)  ¹¹ You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures

Most people would like to add more days to their lives.  What the Bible describes as prosperity is to add “more life to our days.”  That is, we must pursue the purpose for which God designed us.  So few people ever find their true purpose in life.

Purpose requires responsibility.  I read a meme (info post on FaceBook) this week that said, “A disciple is someone who has moved from being the recipient of the church’s mission to being responsible for the church’s mission.  That is every believer’s purpose in life—however varied the means might be for carrying it out.

The phrase “path of life” refers to the coming of a new existence.  It was a phrase used to designate the coming of the seasons, especially the coming of spring.  It is a phrase implying newness and freshness and effectiveness.  I cannot tell you exactly how your purpose in life works out, but I can tell you what it is NOT.  Your purpose is NOT to pursue fame; it is NOT to pursue fortunes; it is NOT to pursue pleasures.  Your purpose is to pursue God passionately.  How one does this comes in a myriad of ways, but God is always at the center.

The Path of Life refers to the way of wisdom and righteousness as opposed to the “Forbidden Woman” that represents sin and folly.  Proverbs 5:3-6 says,

³ Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are  smoother than oil, ⁴ in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword. ⁵ Her feet go down to death; her steps head straight for Sheol. ⁶ She doesn’t consider the path of life; she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable.

I remember taking many vacations and road trips as a kid.  One of the most important items secured in preparation for the trip was a “road map.”  This was before smart phones and GPS.  Dad would first of all pinpoint the destination and circle it.  Then, he would trace the preferred route to get to our destination.  We always got to where we planned – though with five kids and the uncertainties of life, there was a few detours now and then.

God has a purpose for our lives – a path marked out for us that will get us to the Destination of Blessing, and finally, Heaven’s shores.  You will never discover blessing until you get on the path of life God has for you and beginning fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.  The ancient Saint Augustine once declared the same thing as the Psalmist,

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

CLOSE:  Have you noticed that the Old Year is always depicted in imagery as an Old Man close to death,  while the New Year is always pictured as a baby, full of life?  A baby has the promise of a full rich life ahead.  The New Year holds the promise of stability, confidence, and companionship.  The New Year promises “fullness of joy and eternal pleasures” if you would embrace fully the plan and purpose for your life.

Why not climb back up on Santa’s lap – that is the lap of Jesus –and tell Him what you want for the New Year.  Jesus is not only the child of Christmas – Jesus is the “After Christmas Santa.”

There is no better time than today, and no better place than here, to embrace fully God’s plan and path for your life.  It is a plan and path that will “fill you with joy and eternal pleasures” – stability, confidence and companionship.

Christmas isn’t about a “day,” but it is about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ that brings new gifts every day.  Santa may go back to the North Pole, but we can let Jesus be our North Star to guide us each day of this New Year.