RESOLVE!

Ole Ernest Lee ain’t one to make New Years resolutions because he recognizes he probably ain’t gonna follow up and keep them, but that don’t mean believers shouldn’t make them. In fact, they probably should do some soul searching each year and resolve to do better.

Jonathan Edwards was a young man of 18 when he made 70 resolutions over a two year period that guided his life for the rest of his life. Now that is RESOLVE. Edward’s father and grandfathers were preachers. He was a Presbyterian preacher, who was the president of Princeton at one time. You can read all 70 of Edward’s resolutions at: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards

Young Jonathan wrote a preamble to the resolutions. It read: Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will for Christ’s sake.

Ernest Lee agrees with that- make resolutions, but be aware what you resolve may or may not be in God’s will. It goes without saying a believers shouldn’t resolve to do something that conflicts with the revealed will of God, but that ain’t what Jonathan was saying. He was stating the resolutions were ‘the desires of his heart,’ but not necessarily the plan God had for him.

A contemporary of Jonathan Edward was Ben Franklin. Ole Ben made resolutions too, but his weren’t are spiritual as Edwards. You can read those here: https://fs.blog/the-thirteen-virtues/

So here goes, Ernest Lee is going to make the following New Year resolutions: (1) Resolve to be nicer to people. To try and not be as contentious in 2025. (2) Resolve to share the Gospel more in 2025 with those God lays in my path. (3) Resolve in 2025 to REALLY love my neighbor as myself and to love God with all my heart, soul and mind.

The Bible doesn’t mention “resolutions,” but many believers (Edwards is an excellent example) believe making resolutions and setting goals is a good thing. Setting spiritual goals and making intentional changes in our lives is a mark of spiritual growth. That is what resolutions should accomplish.

Believers should always be people of RESOLVE! They should demonstrate a faithfulness and commitment to the Word of God. They should remain steadfast in their convictions, even in the midst of challenges or opposition.

Palmer Hartsough wrote the hymn, “I am Resolved,” in 1896. It’s one of Ernest Lee’s favorites because in it Hartsough emphasizes that RESOLVE is to ‘hasten to Jesus.’ The resolve is dependent on Jesus, not on us. Here are the lyrics to, “I am Resolved.”

I am resolved
No longer to linger
Torn by the world’s delight
Things that are higher
Things that are nobler
These have allured my side
I will hasten to him
Hasten so glad and free
(So glad and free)
Jesus greatest highest
I will come to thee
I am resolved
To go to the savior
Leaving my sin and strive
He is the true one

He is the just one
He hast the words of life
I will hasten to him
Hasten so glad and free
(So glad and free)
Jesus greatest highest
I will come to thee

I am resolved
To follow my savior
Faithful and true each day
Heth what he sayeth
Do what he willeth
He is the living way
I will come to thee.