Time To End.
Well, here we are. Today is Wednesday, December 31st.
The very last day of the year 2008.
And what a year it was.
Question: Do you remember where you were last year around this time?
Better Question: Do you remember what you heard last year around this time?
On December 31st (2007), you may have been one of the millions of people across this nation, who gathered together inside their local church for its annual Watch Night Service.
And although there are times when the variations of our church annual themes and proclamations can make God look a bit schizoid in the eye of the unbeliever, for the most part, millions of people across the nation heard a message that evening about the significance of the year 2008.
2008. The year of (yep, that’s right)…
…New Beginnings.
After 365 days, I think I probably heard every message imaginable about the number eight (8).
From areas of relationships to finance, issues of health and areas of leadership, the hope for a New Beginning was indeed high on the hearts and minds of believers both young and old this year.
Now I am not in any way what you call a great practitioner of biblical numerology, but I took a few moments out the other day to research the significance of the number nine (9). Just seemed like a cool thing to do on the eve of 2009. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised at what I discovered.
The number nine (9) literally means: to bring to an end. In fact, in one instance, I found that the number (9) means: to bring a judgment (or conclusion) to.
Not exactly the kind of words you’d expect people to pack out a sanctuary or tear up a few pews in order to hear this evening.
To bring to an end.
To bring to a conclusion.
To bring a judgment to.
Pretty far cry from the usual New Year phrases we’ve coined and embraced in the past like…
The Year of Divine Favor.
The Year of a New Beginning.
The Year of Release.
I actually heard that one church already coined the phrase:
All Will Be Fine…in 2009!
It kinda makes you wonder…
…what will God say (about 2009) on tonight?
Well, while millions across the nation prepare themselves to hear the answer, I want to leave you with a quote I came across recently that summarizes what I want my 2009 to look like.
“The oppression of the poor isn’t driven by the power of the oppressor, but (rather) the vulnerability of the oppressed.” - Gary Haugen
As you prepare for tonight, it is my prayer that 2009 will be a year that you and I will put an end to our excuses. A year that you and I will no longer blame any oppressor, spiritual or natural, for the things we desire to accomplish in our lives next year.
2009 is indeed going to be a great year.
But it may be one that involves bringing an end to some things.
2009 is not a year for us to be lazy or vulnerable. We can no longer wait on God to bring a conclusion to something He has already empowered us to do ourselves.
This year involves succeeding at obtainable goals, just as much as it involves reaching for some impossible ones. This year, you and I must become (sorry for the dirty word here)…responsible.
On tonight, be careful not to become too consumed with asking God (yet again) to begin some new things in your life, without examining the things He has also told you to bring to an end.
Although it may not be comfortable and popular, it is time.
Happy New Year! (In fact, make it more than happy. Make it productive!!)
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Category: Life & Faith
Interesting that the number 9 signifies putting an end of things. Interesting, because just the past 2 days, in my meditation time, I was reading a book on fasting, and intend to begin the year with a fast like I have never done before (and challenge my family also)…
for the specific purpose of breaking / putting an end to things in my life, my family’s life that need to finally come to an end! Wow! God is good!
I am joining you and your wife in believing that 2009 is a year for putting an end to things that hinder my spiritual life and effectiveness in God’s Kingdom!
I think that this was a great post. I took a bit of time to look up the meaning of 9 as well. The word judgement concerned me a bit but your post definately put it into perspective.
I have noticed in the last few weeks my I have been taking steps to end things (negative and unbeneficial) that I have been tolerating for years…just subconsciously.
I wish you an your family a happy 2009 and beyond. Congrats on your new addition.
I was brought here by your devotional for Streaming Faith. It was that good that I had to come by your blog to see what other God-inspired ideas you have. lol
I, like Allie, was a little concerned with the tone of the devotional once you brought up putting an end to things, but you wrapped it all up together beautifully and I have a feeling that that’s what most preachers are going to be doing tonight as well.
And also like the 1st 2 commentors, I’ve been noticing “the end”, in my life and the lives of my friends.
I don’t think tonight will be a particulary pleasurable service, especially if the pastors bring up the dirty word, but I think everyone should find solace in knowing that as long as they’re willing to work at it, 2009 will be the year of empowerment over their negative and harmful circumstances.
I appreciate your insight about the number 9. I know for the past 2 years I have been dealing with the aftermath of a divorce. Accepting God’s healing in my life. Then all of a sudden depression attacked me. Thank you for your word and now I can move forword into my destiny. Somethings must end before my new life will begin.
Again thank you for the God inspired word!
Happy New Years to you and yours! God Bless
Been sending this one to all my friends. So right on the money. I had been asking God in my prayer time what I needed to do, “what lacketh I” and then I get this message and oh did it hit home.
There are some very important things I need to put an end to and along with the other things Father has been instructing me to do I feel trully impowered.
Each day I am growing better and better and I thank God for men and women such as yourself who continue to be used by God to help me and others Grow. God continue to bless you and yours in 09 and the rest of your days on the planet.
Joy
What a good Word…not knowing the meaning of the number 9, just a couple of months I put an end to a “no going relationship” and made up in my mind that I will be positive with life, people and the choices I make
I too like the arthor of this article. I have not thought much about the significant of numbers, however the number nine has caught my attention. If 8 represented new begginnings, then I got itin 2008, a new beginning. I lost my job of 19 years, my husband had an affair and have a child, my income level fell under 10,000 less, sent my oldest son(bitter sweet) to college and the list can go on. So I need 2009 to be a year for to conclude, close, end some things in my life. It looks like I will have to enroll in college again, bachelor degree this time. My marriage will be concluded (one way or the other) and the list goes on. Thanks Milan Ford for this insight 09. I am looking forward to closure, peace, joy and the continuing blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.