Another day another year!

I suppose one has to make some comment on the fact that in the last 24 hours, people across the globe made merry to welcome 2011. We greeted this happy new day together with 30 odd ex-addicts living in with us on our small-holding just north of Pretoria, SA. All were grateful to be sober and in their right mind during the New Year celebration, some for the first time in years. Others were happy not to be in the streets begging for the next bag of heroin. We sang songs of praise and worship to Jesus led by digital displays of Jesus Culture, Hillsong and a number of other Christian bands. It was great. No hangover or coming down this morning. I was awoken by Annatjie earlier this morning informing me there is no water in the taps. Another day another year. LIFE HAS ITS LITTLE CHALLENGES! 

Some people make great occasion of certain special days on the calender. What is amazing is that despite creed, culture, or colour, those who live in the cities of this age celebrate the New Year. Then there are those who want to party every day of the year, like the ancient Ninevites to whom ol' Jonah was sent. He was reluctant to go tell them to stop their revelry and turn to God. People don't like to hear that they must change their ways. "We have a right to party"! They forget that the world calender revolves around the One they must turn to. It is God who set the planets on their course and it is He who determines whether one of us sees the next sunrise. Surely He deserves some recognition for each new day we may enjoy in this life?

Just like most of us when Jonah received his travelling instructions from Above, he fled in the opposite direction. After all, those Ninevites where known for the fierceness, they took no jive from no one! Some people fiercely defend their right to do as they please. We Christians ( followers of Jesus Christ)  have no right to interfere in their freedom and autonomy, they say. I agree with the freedom of choice, it is God who instituted it in Paradise, way before man started politics and parties. But who must we obey? God or the Ninevites? When Jonah did get there eventually they chose to repent and deferred the prophesied destruction of Nineveh by 200 odd years.

During every age there are empires and their emperors who herd the common folk into cities where they institute their festivals and events to keep theirs serves spirits up. Nothing has changed except that God's Words all come true. Nineveh's ruins are testimony of that. When Saddam Hussein was toppled in the war against Iraq modern day soldiers of the allied forces where photographed in the ruins of Nineveh. Every day and every new year, brings the Day of the Lord closer to fulfilment. On Judgment Day the ancient Ninevites will fulfil yet another prophecy.

As believers in Jesus we need to speak up in the face of indifference to God. No matter how fierce the opposition, God will vindicate His Word. As unbelievers all people everywhere must be reminded that there is a God who will judge every idle word, whether unto salvation of damnation. We can chose what we want to believe and say it, but we must remember, even at the height of festivity and worldly power, that Nineveh was destroyed and its inhabitants who repented, will be raised on the day of Judgment to testify to the grace of God, merely because they heard His Word, believed it and repented.

Mat 12:41 "On Judgment Day, the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about 'proofs.' (The Message)

This may be a sad day for the generation who heard this message from the mouth of God. They are the ones referred to in the above quote given by Jesus Christ. You and I may try and be indifferent like Jonah and turn the other way. However the words of Jesus reach right down through history to include us when He preceded the above with the following; 

Mat 12:36 Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Mat 12:37 Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation." Jesus came to avert the wrath of God for all those who believed and obeyed His Word.

May the blessing of God, and the love of Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit overtake you in 2011!