A Year Without Fear | Neath Elim

We have just said ‘Happy New Year’ to 2022, just saying the date reminds us of how quickly time is moving on.

Looking back at 1999 there was such excitement and anxiety about what a new millennium would bring.

John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

We had the Millennium Bug – Y2K; the Euro was established as a currency and the world’s population officially reached 6 billion in October 1999.

Looking back helps us to assess our place in the present. Sometimes looking back can cause grief and disappointment but it can also be cause for a sense of accomplishment and victory. We all learn important lessons by looking at the past. The past puts the present into context and gives perspective to the future. When we apply the lens of the past to our individual lives we experience many of the same feelings and thoughts that the rest of the world shares.

We share an apprehension about our future, we share a concern for our collective well-being and we share a curiosity about what will happen next. As we enter 2022, we ask – what will the future hold?

Here are a few things about 2022

4th February – the winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, making it the first city ever to host both the summer and winter Olympics

6th February – Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her Platinum jubilee marking 70 years on the throne, a mark no other British monarch has held.

27th March – British Summertime Begins

10th April – French Presidential elections

10th May – Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy

15th June – support for internet explorer ends

6th July – Women’s UEFA Euro in UK.

28th July – Commonwealth Games

15th August – India celebrates 75th Year of independence

11th September – Swedish general Election

30th October – British Summertime Ends

5th November – Bonfire Night

21st November – Fifa World Cup, Qatar

25th December – Christmas Day

Some may say Pastor Ian you cheated, you used a calendar.Yes, I did but I have news for you. As we contemplate the future and wonder what lies ahead, just as we can foretell these events by using a calendar our Bible foretells of earthly events yet to occur. We call that prophecy.

Mark 13:32-37 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts His servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning lest He come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

In 2022 what should we watch for as a sign of Jesus coming? With all the predictions about what might happen in 2022. What could happen in 2022 what should be of first importance? The Bible tells us to watch and be ready.

Many people have tried to string together the events that will lead to Jesus second coming in the hope of providing a road map for those who need to find their way through these uncertain times.

Many have tried to set dates; to interpret every little item in the newspaper; to see a conspiracy behind every event, behind the pandemic, election results in the U.S and government decisions in Europe.

We do not need another book about end time prophecy, another conspiracy theory or another opinion about when it will occur or what will occur. Our Bibles and Holy Spirit should be enough of a road map for all of us.

What all of us truly need is a heart that is anxious to see God’s Kingdom come. It may not occur in 2022 but let us not grow weary at His coming and in the waiting.We need to remember the words of Christ Jesus:

… A heart that is anxious to see God’s Kingdom come, here in earth and evident in our own daily lives.

In 2022 can we pray the Lord’s Prayer with conviction?

• May we hallow our Fathers name.
• Let us eagerly await the coming of His Kingdom.
• Let us seek His will in our life.
• Let us be grateful for His provisions.
• Let us seek forgiveness of our sins.
• Let us forgive others.
• Let us avoid temptation and rejoice in our deliverance from sin.
• Knowing that the Kingdom, the power and the glory are His forever and ever.

Would you like to have peace of mind and know that whatever happens, you do not need to fear because you may not know what is happening but the days of our lives are ordained, ordered by God and He remains sovereign throughout it all.

Jesus says: “Let not your heart be troubled . . . ” Jesus is the one who calms our anxious hearts; Jesus can take away our anxiety and fear…perfect love casts out all fear

Yes, Jesus is coming again, we may not know the specific date but it is the calendar of eternity for Him to come again and make all things right.

So why not let Him calm your troubled heart today so that you will be ready for His second coming and be able to look forward with a renewed hope and a joy.