ANOTHER YEAR HAS ROLLED BY

Dearly Beloved, ANOTHER YEAR HAS ROLLED BY “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV). When I was growing up in the village, one of the hymns that we were sure we would sing at the service of the New Year’s Eve in Yoruba is “Odun Miran ti Koja, Waawaa ni akoko naa n lo” [Another year has rolled by, The time flies so quickly by]. The hymn used to signal the end of an old year, and the beginning of a new year. As a young man, I never thought deeply about the lyrics of the hymn and its meaning. However, recently, two of the principal officers in my workplace led us in singing the English version of the hymn in one of our Chapel services. It was as if I never sang the hymn before. As advised by the senior officers, I ruminated on the lyrics of the hymn, and discovered that the hymn is really worthy of singing and its lyrics are worthy of pondering about at the end of every year. Interestingly, the hymn is not a popular one, and its writer and the person that set it to music are unknown. I could not even find its history online like many other hymns. The lyrics of the hymn can be found in just a number of websites. Indeed, another year has rolled by, and the time flies so quickly by! When did we start this year? We are now in the last days of the year. Unfortunately, this year that is to pass by may be the last year for some people as many will still die within the remaining days of the passing year. That hymn writer was right to note that it is the mercy of God that kept us through. It is by His compassion and faithfulness that we have not been consumed. The hymn writer went further to ask a rhetorical question: “Have we been benefited [from the passing year]?” And he enjoined us to ask ourselves whether we are prepared if we are called home this year? This world is undeniably a battleground. Thousands are falling down dead, and the arrows of death that fly can be sent to anyone. The hymn writer warned that we should hear and meditate on the word of God that is been preached every time because the close of eternity is at hand, we are standing on the brink of this age. He then prayed that we would be saved from our sins by the grace of God divine and hear Him say, “Come home”. However, we need divine mercy the coming new year, and a year that is more full of joy. Another year has rolled by.... Have you pondered on the grace of God over your life in this passing year? Do you really appreciate God for leading you thus far in the year? Will you still underestimate the mercy of God over your life? How are you handling the word of God that you have access to this year? This year will not be the last in your life. You will witness more years with divine mercy and more full of joy in Jesus’ name. Amen. However, what if this year is your last? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Appreciate God for thus far He has led you in the passing year, and pray that you will not underestimate His mercy and faithfulness over your life.