I’m not sure I’d give a nickel for the year 2013! I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. There are many people would put the past 365 days into the “worst mess” category because of hard circumstances such as death, illness, betrayal, job loss, financial ruin, and many other types of calamities.

However, I also know because of God’s “mighty acts,” (like changing my perspective and giving me peace in spite of chaos) I will soon see how this dreadful year might turn out to be the best one I’ve ever lived.

Psalm 150 is the last Psalm in the Bible. It is all about praise. Although every Psalm is about praising God, many were composed in the midst of great distress. Because of this example, I can praise God too.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness!”

I can praise God because in my past experiences with Him I saw how my difficult experiences became the momentum that ushered divine changes into my life. If I cooperate with God again, I know He will give me a better “take away message” than, “2013 was a bad year!”

It’s no secret that in the realm of God, He is THE ONE who makes treasure out of junk!

I can already see evidences that my relationship to God and my family is becoming all the better for the experiences I had in 2013.

Here are some thoughts about old and new years.

A year, like a tossed coin, is apt to land heads or tails up in my memory, depending on my perspective and trust in God.

It is an act of will to try not to see bad things as permanent harm to me. Truly difficult experiences are undeniable in their power to hurt, overwhelm, and bring dismay and sadness. Yet there is a God who can take the toughest situations and “flip the coin” to my good.

Jeremiah 29:11 says…

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

For this reason, I can praise God and join in the praises expressed in the rest of Psalm 150.

“Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with lute and harp!

Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; Praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Psalm 150:3-6

Sounds like a New Year’s party to me!

My Prayer

Dear Mighty God,

Let me live in search of praises to express to You! You ARE able to transform my “mess” and the disorder in other’s lives. You ARE good, holy, kind, true, merciful, loving, saving! So much more… words give only a pennyworth of tribute to the wonder of You. Take all my “nickel” years and days and turn them into eternal value. Amen.