Well, we've survived another year.  We climbed over (or under in some cases) economic hurdles and waded through political unrest.  We watched anxiously for change and found change isn't always good. We watched terrorism reach a very frightening high and justice reach a very frightening low.  That's not what we planned for 2009, now was it? A small part of me says, "Thank God it's over."  Another small part of me says, "Oh dear, here comes another one!"

I, just like the majority of my readers, would seriously appreciate a better year this year.  And I, just like you, want to make the right choices and improve my circumstances all the way around.  So, I went on a search for answers.  Where?  I fasted, I prayed and I studied my Bible.

First, God lead me to Isaiah 1:21.

See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice;
righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!

That, as well as the rest of Isaiah, chapter 1, could be a "State of the Union" address for almost any country, anywhere, including the United States.  I read through it with a little fear and trembling, wondering why God would lead me there instead of into something cheerful and happy for my 2010-Searching-For-a-Better-Life-Bible-Study! 

As though He heard me, or felt my fear, He directed me to move from Isaiah 1:21 to Matthew 1:21.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

It appears, my friends, we've done it again.  We've followed the circuitous path of the Israelites from a land flowing with milk and honey into a land full of religion and legalism, idol worship and disobedience.  We have strayed about as far as you can go, pushing the envelope, dancing with the devil.  We've suffered the consequences, financial difficulties, sickness, addictions, depression and oppression, caused, as always, by our own foolishness.  We've hardened our hearts toward God and put our trust in man.  We've done it again.

Yet, behold!

Instead of impending doom of the wrath of God, there still stands that never ending, always enduring, ready and waiting, always remaining, grace from Father God. There stands Matthew 1:21.  Jesus will save us from our sins. 

We can dry our eyes and cease to fear.  We can turn back!  As long as Matthew 1:21 stands, we can stand.  We can put our hope in Christ and cast our cares upon Him.  We can put the past behind us and look forward to something new.

I can almost hear Him saying once again, "Get up.  Dry your eyes.  That is enough. I've got something better for you!"