Devotional: Beginning of Months

“This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you’” (Ex. 12:2, NASB).

Most church going Bible students are familiar with the Feast of Passover. We learn in the New Testament that Jesus is crucified during the Passover feast. Thus, the feast of Passover is a celebration of both the end of an old life and the beginning of a new life. Jesus is crucified, buried, and resurrected. All that believe in Jesus are forgiven of their sins, receive God’s Holy Spirit, and begin to walk in a new life.

As we embark upon a new year there will be celebrations by people everywhere. People will make New Year resolutions; most will not be kept. The Hebrews in Exodus are called to remember that they have been living in inescapable bondage for over three hundred years. God is coming to bring an end to their slavery. God is going to take matters into His own hands and set the captives free. It is going to be a new year. The feast of Passover is set aside to remind the people and their descendants of what God did on their behalf.

As we begin the New Year, let us be reminded that God is with us. He is ever present. When the people left Egypt they were not without problems and issues in their lives. We too will enter into the New Year with problems and issues. We can take comfort in knowing that God is leading us to a new land and a better day. We have made it in the old year. God is with us as we enter the New Year. Thus, we enter the New Year with hope, peace, joy, and love because the baby that was born and placed in a manger has lived to show us God’s plane to save us from our sins. At the end of the ages, the Son of God will return to establish the kingdom of God. Old things will pass away, and all things will be made new.

Prayer: Father, we thank you for setting us free from our old life of sin. We thank you for our new life in Jesus Christ our redeemer.