(Happy New Year, Crossway!)

2012 just flapped away, forever. As quick as that, we’re now a year further along in Anno Domini. For some of us, 2012 represents a year we’d rather not repeat. For others of us, we wish 2012 would just…keep…going.

Whatever the case, Robert Burns, the old Scottish poet, had the right idea to ask the question with his 1700′s Scottish brogue: “Should auld (old) acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne (old times past)?” His concern ought to be our own at this cusp of the new year.

Before we start dreaming and scheming about 2013 to the exclusion of 2012 and all the faithful workings of our God in years gone by, let us heed Mr. Burns, in spite of not understanding two-thirds of what he’s trying to say in his well-known poem. For the Christian, the marking of a new year should be accompanied by the same remembrances that daily occupy the heart of faith:

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Ps. 103:1-5)

We must never lose track of his benefits. We should remember the dark places we’ve been and the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father that upheld us there. The pits, diseases and iniquities of our yesteryears should not be far from mind. God has saved our undeserving souls (with precious blood!) and we should number our blessings and then count them all over again until we walk away from our remembrance with awe and praise.

May the Lord help our 2013 to be full of recounts.