God knows what it is like to start anew, not because of any failure on His part, but His creatures'. Some refer to these beginnings as dispensations, different ages, or various periods of time. Whatever the term, the Lord understands starting over again after failure (as I said, not His, ours). From the start in Eden down to the very end, when He ushers in a New Heaven and New Earth, Bible history records a series of new beginnings. 

There is something exciting about beginning anew, I liken it to when I was a boy in Ohio after the rain, on a hot summery day. It always seemed so fresh and clean afterward. Who among us cannot attest to this fact after asking parents, mate, siblings, children, or friends, "Will you let me start again?" O, the unspeakable peace and joy that fills the soul when hearing those blessed words, "Of course you can." 

But there are no words, to my knowledge, that describe the emotion that fills the soul of the child of God who says to his or her heavenly Father, "Father, I've failed again, will you please allow me to begin anew?" And to hear that loving, compassionate voice, so filled with pathos say, "My dear, dear child, have I not always? My mercy is fathomless, unending. No matter the sin or shortcoming, it will always be there for you."

I like A.W. Tozer's comment on God's forgiveness. He says whenever God forgives a man, it is like he had never sinned, like he had been newly created, with no past. Dear reader, it is not starting new at the first of year, or beginning anew at the start of each day; it goes much deeper than that. This newness is moment by moment, step by step; yes! breath by breath.

by an Aged Saint

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