New Year Commitments That Matter
In more developed countries, however, adolescents quickly grow independent. They spend less time with their parents, hanging out with friends or even living alone in their rooms. They enjoy themselves by using electronic devices and consuming media that may not be appropriate for their age. Parents usually hope their children will earn good grades, obtain degrees, secure respectable jobs, marry, and start families. Yet many youngsters fail to meet these expectations, which can lead to a sense of failure and disappointment—both for the parents, who feel helpless, anxious, and saddened by their children’s perceived lack of success.
God Also Feels
God intended to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. (Exodus 3:7‑8).
These words were spoken by God to Moses.
But did the Israelites take interest in or accept what God had planned for them? When Pharaoh’s soldiers pursued the Israelites, they said to Moses: “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Exodus 14:11-12)
So why did they leave Egypt then? They left Egypt primarily because they were oppressed and desired freedom from slavery.
Two years later, when the Israelites were about to enter the land of Canaan, Dathan and Abiram said to Moses, "Isn’t it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? And now you also want to lord it over us! Moreover, you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you want to treat these men like slaves? No, we will not come!”" (Numbers 16:13-14)
God spoke thus against His people who did not accept His plan: "Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness." (Numbers 14:30-32)
Why did the Israelites fail to enter the promised land and instead perish in the desert? Because they were unwilling to accept what God had planned for them and remained attached only to Egypt. Their disbelief and rejection of God’s plan led to their demise.
God's Plan
God desires that every human being on earth—including you—spend no more time suffering death, pain, aging, or hardship. Instead, He offers free admission into the heavenly kingdom, without effort or cost. If such a gift were made available in the United States, most people would be overjoyed; and if it came with citizenship, they would feel even more honored and relieved.
Yet many people today ignore God’s invitation to freely enter heaven—and the accompanying “citizenship.” Just as the Israelites repeatedly refused to enter Canaan, so too do many reject this free offer of entry into the heavenly realm.
If you have not yet received—or are uncertain about—your entry into heaven, I encourage you to embrace God’s offer as part of your New Year’s resolution. It is the most precious gift that surpasses any earthly right. If you disregard or reject it—as the Israelites did—you risk needless eternal torment. With compassion, I urge you not to let this opportunity slip away.
So, How does one gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven?
The kingdom is described as pure and clean. Because human beings are profoundly sinful, we cannot earn entry through our own efforts or abilities. Yet, by God’s great mercy, He offers everyone free access through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Many believe that good appearance, righteous deeds, obedience to commandments, living according to God’s will, and having those good works weighed against sins on the day of judgment can secure entrance—either because the good outweighs the bad or because God might show mercy. However, Scripture says otherwise:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Therefore, entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven—salvation—comes by believing in God’s mercy. Do you believe that God has already saved you?
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) He was declaring that He is the path to heaven; if we go through Him, we can reach it. When He says, “I am the life,” He does not refer only to His own existence but to the eternal life offered to humanity. Whoever accepts Him will have eternal life.
The testimony of the Apostle John echoes this: "God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12) To receive eternal life, you must accept Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus also said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." (Revelation 3:20) He is knocking on your heart's door. Will you let Him in? If you do, He will enter and you will receive eternal life.
Accepting Lord Jesus is the greatest treasure in your life. You can accept Him with all your heart: "Lord Jesus, You are my God; I receive You as my Savior and Life. Come into my heart. Rule over my life according to Your will." Amen.
If you truly call upon Him from the heart, He will come to you according to His promise. When He comes, you will also receive eternal life.
But this is only the beginning. Just as a child needs nurturing and guidance to grow healthy and strong, you too must be cared for and guided. Therefore, I recommend that you read and study Salvation Lessons to deepen your understanding and faith.
God Desires to be Trusted
He has already shown the way for humanity to enter Heaven. Accepting this truth is what one experiences after death. While alive in this world, God wants to nourish and teach people so they may trust in Him completely. He desires that we place our full confidence in Him.
God warns us through prophecy: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.” (Jeremiah 17:5‑6)
First, anyone who relies on their own strength—or on another person—and whose heart turns away from the Lord is already under a curse, even if things appear to be going well. Why? Because they may soon face suffering and hardship. It becomes even more pitiable when life seems comfortable while they are alive, because at death they will descend into the lake of fire.
If you are facing trouble because you have not cared for and relied on God, repent quickly and turn to Him for help. Jesus said, "Whoever comes to me I will never drive away." (John 6:37) Moreover, He calls out to all who are weary and burdened: “Come to me, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
In the Old Testament, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in the eternal God:
"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land." (Psalm 37:3-9)
Therefore, from this new year onward, let us commit to relying on God in every circumstance. Trusting in the Almighty involves reading Scripture daily, praying, and following His guidance so that we may discern His will.
It is said that a person who does not rely on God is like a fig tree in a desert. A desert is dry and has few plants; without water, a fig tree will wither. Likewise, a person who does not depend on God lives in drought—subject to disappointments and sorrows that bring no benefit. Those who ignore God face one problem after another but never seek His help. No matter how much we try to assist them, it is often insufficient. Suffering can push people toward turning to God.
Friend, if you are facing various difficulties, approach the Almighty with an open heart.
The Lord says, "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”" (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
A person who trusts in the Lord is like a plant that grows near a river. Just as a river never dries up, so too will the Lord never abandon those who trust Him. When a tree’s roots receive water, it can withstand the scorching heat of the sun; likewise, when people place their trust in the Lord, they need not fear hardship or trouble.
A drought symbolizes periods of poor health, unemployment, and other difficulties. “Its leaves do not wither” refers to maintaining peace and composure even in adversity. “Continuously bearing fruit” means achieving success and fulfillment.
My advice to you is this: if you already possess eternal life, become a person who wholeheartedly trusts in God—do not rely on yourself, others, or the government.
Do not place your trust in men or people in power, for they are human and fallible: "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." (Psalm 146:3).
The Bible again warns us through God’s Word: "Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?"(Isaiah 2:22)
Zealous followers of God
Many people believe that only the godless and sinful fail to trust in and neglect God. Yet the Bible reminds us that even those with great faith can turn away from Him.
"Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him." (Isaiah 1:2-4)
Thus, even though God is said to have forsaken the Israelites, they continued to worship Him—a fact that becomes evident in His words:
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them." (Isaiah 1:11-14).
Paul also said, "Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness." (Romans 10:1-3)
Even though the Israelites have great zeal for God, do they attain salvation? No—because Paul is known to be praying for them. You may be zealous in prayer, Scripture study, and praise, but if you neither understand nor accept the true knowledge of righteousness that God has provided, your zeal will remain unproductive and will not lead to salvation. Therefore, this year I encourage you to seek out and grasp the truth of the gospel.
One Who Magnifies God's Glory
Even if believers have attained salvation and know the truth, it remains incomplete. A true believer is someone who shares God’s glory with others, as Peter writes:
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
When we speak of God's glory, people often see it only from a worldly perspective. While the glory of God is impressive in human terms, His heavenly glory is incomparably greater. How, then, can believers describe God’s glory? By introducing others to Him.
Because of sin, humans cannot have fellowship with the holy and almighty God on their own. Yet, through Christ’s sacrifice, people can break down the great wall that separates them from Him.
This year, I invite you to pray and commit yourself to becoming a messenger who shares, displays, and proclaims God’s salvation. Even if you’re unable to share it broadly and openly, at least tell the good news to those close to you—your spouse, children, parents, relatives, or friends. God will surely bless you abundantly for your faithfulness.
