Music Notes

As we begin a new year, many of us will be making resolutions. (If any of those involve joining the choir or music ministry at SUMC, you are most welcome!) But it seems that every year, we get motivated and excited to start something new, or re-start something we failed to complete the previous year: diets, exercise programs, driving within the speed limit, the list goes on. I would venture to say that, more often than not, we are soon finishing up the Christmas leftovers, sleeping in, instead of exercising, and whizzing down Ohio River Boulevard at an easy 65 mph.
On a more serious note, though, it is good to know that when we do not follow through with more serious obligations, in our commitment and relationship to God, that He remains faithful to us. We are told of a “faithful saying” in II Timothy that reads, “If we die with Him, we shall also live with Him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; but if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” It is a striking promise for us that, when we mess up, when we fail with our serious resolutions and commitments to God, that He remains faithful to us. We can still come to Him. It reminds me of the familiar hymn line “Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand has provided, great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”
It is my prayer for you that as we enter into a new year, that you are aware of God’s new mercies that come day by day, and moment by moment. It is my hope that you are continually reminded of God’s faithfulness; and during this new year, may God put a new song in your heart – a song of praise to our God.