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RESOLVE FOR THE NEW YEAR

INTRODUCTION

We should all have resolve for the New Year.

What do we mean by the word “resolve.” What does it mean to have “resolve.”

The word "resolve" can be defined as "coming to a determination" or "making up one’s mind."

Resolutions are the results of resolve on the part of someone. You determine that you are going to do something, then you set out to do it.

You cannot have “resolve” without a target or goal.

If we do not aim at a target we will never hit it. If we don’t have a goal, we will never reach it.

When it comes to resolve, the psalmist David expresses many of his with the words, "I will."

His various “resolutions” are based on the Word of God.

Let’s look for these "I wills" in Psalm 119, which has 176 verses and is the longest chapter in the Bible.

I.         I WILL REJOICE.  (Psalm 119:7- "I will praise thee").

Instead of grumbling over what we do not have, we should rejoice over what the Lord has given us materially and spiritually.

            Psalm 33:1-“Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.”

Psalm 97:12–“Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

Isaiah 61:10–“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. . .”

            Philippians 4:4–“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

            Jesus gives us gladness rather than sadness. He gives glory rather than gloom.

II.       I WILL REFLECT. (Psalm.119:15, 48, 78).

In all these three references he speaks of meditating. He deals with the source of our meditation, which is the Word of God.

            Unfortunately many Christians spend more time pondering the newspapers

            and magazines than they do the Word of God.

            Psalm 1:1–“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel. . .”

            I WILL REJOICE

            I WILL REFLECT

III.      I WILL REMEMBER. (Psalm. 119:16,93).

David makes up his mind that he will not forget the Word of God because it had been the source of quickening or giving life to Him.

            We hear, then believe.

            When we are tempted to sin, we need to remember the Word of God.

            When we are tempted to fear, we need to remember the Word of God.

            When we are tempted to doubt, we need to remember the Word of God.

            When we don’t know which way to go, we need to remember the Word of God.

IV.      I WILL RUN. (Psalm.119:32).

            The sweet singer of Israel says, "I will run the way of thy commandments."

That expression speaks of affection, readiness, and cheerfulness. There should be nothing dull about the commandments of God to the person that loves the Lord.

            His commandments should not be grievous to us.

Hebrews 12:1–“. . .let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Isaiah 40:28–“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

V.        I WILL REVEAL. (Psalm.119:46).

            "I will speak of thy testimonies."

The truth of God so thrilled the life of King David, that he felt that he had to speak to others and testify of the character and kindness of God.

Matthew 5:16–“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

VI.      I WILL REST. (Psalm.119:117a).

David expresses confidence in God holding him up and knew that those who loved the Word of God found themselves possessing "great peace."

Psalm 119:165–“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

            Deut. 33:27–“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:”

When we come to understand that underneath us are the everlasting arms of God, then we can rest.

VII.     I WILL RESPECT. (Psalm.119:117).

"I will have respect unto thy statutes continually."

The word "respect" means to gaze at, to inspect, and to consider.

            We need to gaze at the Word of God.

            We need to inspect the Word of God. (Study)

            We need to consider the Word of God. (In our decisions.)

            The Word of God is valuable:

                        1.         Because of the faith it brings forth.

                                    Romans 10:17

                        2.         Because of the faint-heartedness it relieves.

                                    (What an encouragement!)

                        3.         Because of the falsehoods it dispels.

                                    (It is the truth)

                        4.         Because of the faithful God it reveals.

                                    (Oh what a mighty God we serve!)

Never let any modernists, liberal, atheist, or skeptic ever lessen your faith in the Word of God and the God of the Word.

Conclusion

Do you have any resolve for the coming year?

The Christian life is a life that is lived on purpose. Do you have any purpose?

The Christian life is a life that is filled with the purpose of God. Do you have God’s purpose?

Why not be like the Psalmist and have your resolve around the Word of God.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!