As we approach the end of the year, it is a particularly significant time to pause, reflect, and give thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. The greatest reason to thank God is for the gift of life He has sustained in us throughout the entire year.<\/p>\n
During the course of this year, we have passed through many seasons and trials, yet we are still alive. The sun rises and sets each day, we have not experienced earthquakes, nor waged war, God has preserved us from many calamities, shielded us from illness, and even when we fell sick, He healed us. Can we honestly say this is because of our own righteousness?<\/p>\n
It is not because of our religious devotion, our abundance of food, our self-care, our good conduct, our righteousness, our personal holiness, our zeal to seek God, our good deeds, fasting, prayer, church attendance, or charitable giving. None of these things move our Heavenly Father to grant us blessings, life, or daily provision. Not one.<\/p>\n
So the question arises: if it is not because of these things that we are finishing the year safely, then why? If it is not because of our holiness, efforts, or works, why do we receive such grace?<\/p>\n
The answer is simple: it is because of the righteousness of one person, because of the holiness, diligence, obedience, and prayers of one person\u2014and that person is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was pleasing to the Heavenly Father.<\/p>\n
The Heavenly Father was not pleased with the thousands on earth; He found no one righteous. All had sinned and fallen short of His glory.<\/p>\n
Psalm 14:2-3:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; no one does good, not even one.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Do you see? If there is no one righteous on earth, who could possibly receive blessings from God based on their own merit? None. We all deserve eternal judgment. That is why someone had to come from heaven who is righteous, to be able to receive blessings from God\u2014because no one on earth is truly wise or righteous.<\/p>\n
And that person is Jesus Christ alone. He alone lived a sinless life from birth to death. He alone was counted righteous by the Father:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d (Matthew 3:17).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Not \u201cthese are my beloved sons,\u201d but this One\u2014and through His righteousness, all blessings flow to us.<\/p>\n
Matthew 21:5-9:<\/p>\n
\u201cSay to Daughter Zion, \u2018See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.\u2019 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, \u2018Hosanna to the Son of David!\u2019 \u2018Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!\u2019 \u2018Hosanna in the highest!\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Therefore, only one is truly blessed\u2014Jesus Christ alone, who was not destined to die in sin or perish eternally. Our Lord Jesus redeemed us, who were imperfect, before the Heavenly Father, and granted us access to the blessings He had already received from the Father. Though we did not deserve blessing, life, or the illumination of God\u2019s favor, we now receive them through Christ.<\/p>\n
Even as we conclude this year and continue to live, we must not boast in our works, for it is not by our own deeds that we are preserved, but because of the works of Jesus Christ, which pleased the Father. This is not due to our diligence, nor our moral efforts, but by the mercy of Jesus Christ upon us.<\/p>\n
We are not the blessed ones\u2014Jesus Christ alone is blessed. We are invited to partake in His blessings. That is why we must know Him, worship Him, and humbly say, \u201cLord, thank You.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thank Him for every moment of the year, from beginning to end. Even if you are sick, give thanks. Even if your desires were not fulfilled this year, be thankful that you are still alive.<\/p>\n
Thank Him for keeping you in faith, for preserving you from the attacks of the devil, and for granting you life to seek Him through prayer, fasting, and devotion. Without Him, we would all belong to the fire of hell.<\/p>\n
Give thanks in every area of your life, and ask for greater grace in the coming year to draw closer to Him, know Him more deeply, and experience His power. He will grant you greater grace to overcome the world and its temptations, for \u201cthe world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever\u201d (1 John 2:17). Christ will return, \u201clike a thief in the night\u201d (Revelation 3:3). One day, this world will end, just as one year passes by. Let us pray for God\u2019s grace to remain steadfast until that day.<\/p>\n
The Lord bless you abundantly!<\/p>\n