A New Look for the New Year

Isaiah 6:1–8 (NKJV) 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

I always enjoy the beginning of a New Year. The New Year affords for each of us a time of reflection of the past and anticipation for the future. It gives us the opportunity to evaluate our life and make meaningful decisions for improvement in our lives.

I hope you have thought about your plans and dreams for the New Year. Whether they come true or not depends on the providence of God; whether you see God’s providence in your life depends on where you’re looking!

The same is true for us as a church as well. What kind of year 2023 will be for us depends in a large part upon what we are focused upon. If our focus is merely on ourselves and our own interest then any hope for measured improvement is limited. If our focus is on an Almighty God with whom all things are possible then our future as a church is limited only by the will of God Himself.

Isaiah chapter 6 serves as a backdrop for us as we face the unknown future of a New Year. King Uzziah had died, and the hope of Judah seemed to die with him in the hearts of most of the people. But Isaiah had a moment of personal reflection in the temple that morning that helped him gain a greater vision of what the future held. He saw and understood that the hope of Judah was not in a dead king but in a living Lord!

I want you to know that our hope for the New Year is also in the Lord! In order for you and me to achieve all that God wants for us requires that we have a clear vision of God’s presence all around us; it requires that we look in some specific directions – I believe it requires a new look for the New Year!

Many people make resolutions in a new year. So, let’s begin by resolving to look upward…

I. Let’s Resolve to Look Upward in 2023, Isaiah 6:1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up

We live in a pessimistic world! The media reminds us of all the negative events that have occurred. Instead of seeing the hope and promise of what the future may hold, many feel things will only get worse! But our perspective makes all the difference in the world. As people of God, we have to develop a spiritual vision that allows us to see beyond the veil of pessimism and negativity of this world and see that our God still sits high and lifted up on His throne!

Psalm 121:1–2 (NKJV), 1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV), For we walk by faith, not by sight.

1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV), For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Resolution # 1 – As a follower of Jesus Christ, I resolve to renew my commitment to faithfully honor God (Him) in how I live and worship Him.

T/S – Not only should we resolve to look upward in this New Year, but …..

II. Let’s Resolve to Look Inward in 2023, Isaiah 6:5a

5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”

As Isaiah looked upon the majesty and splendor of God, his reaction was a totally human one – he began to look at himself in relationship to God! (That’s Our Human Nature) The way of the world is to look at self in comparison to others, but Christians must always look at themselves in comparison to the Lord! My greatest challenge this New Year is not to straighten out your life – it’s making sure I’m living the life God wants me to live.

Romans 12:1–2 (NKJV), 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Luke 9:23 (NKJV), Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Resolution # 2 – As a follower of Jesus Christ, I resolve to grow spiritually stronger in my commitment to my Lord and Savior.

T/S – So in this New Year, our new look includes an upward look and an inward look, but finally, we must also resolve to have an outward look.

III. Let’s Resolve to Look Outward in 2023, Isaiah 6:5b; 8

And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;….. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Acts 1:8 (ESV), But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…..”

John 20:21 (NKJV), So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Matthew 10:1 (NKJV), And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Resolution # 3 – As a follower of Jesus Christ, I resolve to be a more consistent witness and to minister to those in need as the Lord provides opportunity.

It’s interesting to see the change that takes place with Isaiah as he looks upward and reflects inwardly there in the temple that day – it’s only when he does this that he hears the challenge of God calling for an outward vision of service!

I believe as we take a new look this New Year; we too will hear God calling us to a greater sense of service to those around us. There will be opportunities to serve those who are far from God and those who are struggling in the family of God!

The question is, are you willing to look outward to see the opportunities God will present us in this New Year. Will you say like Isaiah, “Here I am send me~use me”?

As we stand at the beginning of another New Year, I pray each of us will reflect and resolve what we will endeavor to do with a new year. I want to challenge and encourage you to take a new look at this New Year. Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV), For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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