A New Years Message

I trust each and every one of you had a safe and Merry Christmas. I just want to say “Merry Christmas” over and over. I’m tired of hearing “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.” Just a personal thing I guess. But we are getting to that time of the month where we begin to see the Year in Review stuff on television. From the top news stories of the year to the top sports stories. We reflect on what has happened in the life of our world this past year. I went to CNN.com this week and got a refresher on all the top stories of 2025. Let’s be honest there are some things about this year that we would like to forget. Not only things that have happened in our world and country but also in our own lives. AS many of us look back on our lives this year there were some significant things that have happened and some not so significant things. As a matter of fact many would be uncomfortable with their own personal year in review.

But I want to read a verse to you. It’s found in Psalm 96:1: “Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!” For many that is the last thing you want to do right now. But honestly for all of us in here it is the most important thing we do as we begin this new year. Sing a new song to the Lord. I want to talk about the power of a song tonight. A power of your song to the Lord. But first of all I want to talk about music and singing. Music is such a part of our culture and who we are. It’s a way we express ourselves. It’s a way we escape and dream. It’s a way we get lost in the moment. It’s also a way we escape. Music is powerful. That’s why it generates millions upon millions of dollars in revenue a year. Now think about it. We buy music for all sorts of reasons. It’s a big part of our lives. When we’re in a good mood what do we normally do? We whistle or we sing. When we are depressed and blue what do we want to do? Do we want to put in a c.d. that’s loud and makes you want to dance? No. You put in something mellow. You throw in some country and western.

Music and singing is a gift from God. We fail to forget that God was the inventor of it. As you look in the Bible you see how much singing, worship, praising, etc. is found in Biblical culture. The Greek word for “Psalm” means “a song to the accompament of a plucked instrument.” In the Bible one of the ways the Hebrew and Christian history was passed down was by putting the historical events to a song and communicating it to others. It’s also interesting to see that not only was it a tool used to communicate history but it was also something that God’s children did before, during and after defining moments in their lives. As a matter of fact as you study the scriptures you will see some famous songs in the Bible:

Exodus 15:1-21 (Moses song of victory and praise after God led Israel out of Egypt.)

Numbers 21:7 (Israel’s song of praise to God for giving them water in the desert.)

Deut. 32:1-43f Israel’s history with thanksgiving and praise as the Hebrews were about to enter the promised land.

2 Samuel 22:2-51 (David’s song of thanks and praise to God for rescuing him from Saul and his other enemies.) Song of Songs (Solomon’s song of love celebrating the union of husband and wife.)

Ezra 3:11 (Israel’s song of praise at the completion of the temple’s foundation.)

Luke 1:46-55 (Mary’s song of praise to God for the conception of Jesus.)

Luke 1:68-79 (Zecharia’s song of praise for the promise of a son.)

Acts 16:25 (Paul and Silas sang in prison.)

So today as you and I begin another year—2026, I want to encourage us all to sing a new song. This song that you sing I want you to create it. We talk a lot about resolutions this year. Well, this is going to take the place of your resolutions. This song is a statement of faith. It is a tangible statement of your dependence on God. It’s a way for you to remember God’s faithfulness and provision in your life. It is also going to be a testimony to others. For many here today this whole idea sounds ridiculous. You have no motivation do to that

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There’s a lot of reasons for that. One of the purposes of this message is to help motivate you to create and sing a new song unto the Lord! Every serious musician needs some inspiration. 

At this time I want to share with you some reasons every believer has a song to sing no matter how your year has gone.

1). Salvation is free and for the taking

2). There’s not a mess dirty enough he won’t get you out of. Psalm 40:2

3). God’s blessings for you are too numerous to count Psalm 40:5

4). WE are one day closer to eternity than we were yesterday.

5). Death is not the end. John 11:25-26

6). Pain and suffering will not last forever Rev. 21:4

7). Evil will decisively be taken care of.

No matter what you have faced this year or what you might be facing this next year—you can sing a new song to the Lord. (Even if he has to give it to you.) As you prepare to create your song to sing this new year let me give you a few suggestions. First of all, Don’t worry about your music ability or lack of it. The important part is the content of the song. Look to the scriptures (famous songs in the Bible.) Keep the focus of the song on Christ. It is about him and his faithfulness to you. Remember, he is the audience.

For some, your song will be a celebration of what God means to you. Others, your song will be about how you are struggling but know God will get you through. Others, as new believers it will be a song about how even though you don’t know all there is to know about the Christian life you’ll trust in him.

Let us pray: Lord, a new year is upon us, 2026, and as we celebrate this new year, allow us to sing a joyous song unto you in place of all to the worries we may face today. With a new year upon us, allow us to rejoice in your presence, and the power of the Holy Spirit…that we allow it to guide our paths into the unknown new year. We trust in you oh Lord…thankyou for dwelling within us and around us, in all of your creation. Forgive us when we fall, and revitalize us in your presence. In all of these things, and this new year, bring of us all of your many blessings. AMEN

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