Wrap This Up

"My transgression is sealed up in a bag,
and You wrap up my iniquity."
Job 14:17

With just a few days before Christmas, if you're like most people you've still got several things to wrap up.  Last minute gifts, baking, Christmas cards, the literal wrapping of said gifts, etc.  Just thinking about it makes my head swim.  I tossed and turned all night long thinking about all the things I still need to do.  
And I haven't even thought about stockings yet.
Also wrapping up is my time spent in the book of Luke during this month.  Reading a chapter corresponding with the date each day and following the life of Jesus.  In chapter twenty, interestingly, we find Jesus wrapping up His earthly ministry too. He is facing growing condemnation and scrutiny.  His authority is being questioned and more and more people are feeling threatened by His power.  Knowing what He had to face in the near future causes me great embarrassment about the things I fuss and worry about day in and day out.  How shameful to be worried about such trivial things.  
When searching The Bible you will even find the theory of wrapping it up addressed.  
Job 14:17 NASB says this,
"My transgression is sealed up in a bag,  and You wrap up my iniquity."  
What a blessing to know that as this year comes to a close, God is wrapping up our sin too.
 Friend, you don't have to take your guilt and shame into a new year.  In just a few days this year will be over.   You will be able to usher in a new year with new blessings, new opportunities, and new ways to serve God and your family.  
I want to encourage you to begin to prepare now.  Ask God to help you wrap up a few things you don't want to take into this next year.  
Maybe there are some negative feelings like fear and anxiety that cripple your productivity.  Do you wish you could wrap them up and leave them behind this year?
Or maybe some not so healthy habits like emotional eating and poor budgeting.  Wouldn't it be nice to leave those behind this year too?  
And how about strained relationships?  Wouldn't you love to wrap up anger and resentment and start of the new year with love and respect?
Don't wait until January 1st to make that same old list of resolutions, that your human flesh cannot possibly stick to.  Make plans now.   Secure the help of the One who can ensure your success.  Begin wrapping up this crazy year asking God to prepare your heart and mind for a new year full of exciting service and love to Him and your family.  New adventures with God and your family that will take you places you've never dreamed you could go.  Doesn't that sound amazing?  
Wrap that up, I'll take it!

Let's Pray.
Dear God,
I want desperately to wrap up some things and leave them behind this year.  I am so grateful that You wrap up my sins and I no longer have to carry the burden of guilt and shame.  Forgive me God for not letting go of behaviors and feelings that are keeping me from growing and prospering.  I am committed to preparing my heart and mind to wrap up the things that are hindering me and leaving them behind.  I'm going into the new year excited and ready to grow in my walk with You; getting healthy, and losing this weight for the last time, and living for YOU!  Thank You for always giving me new opportunities to wrap things up and start fresh.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen

E4M DAILY STRATEGY
Wrap That Up
There are many translations of the phrase wrap up my iniquity found in Job 14:17

The NIV says, "cover over my sin."
The KJV says, "sewest up mine iniquity."
The CEV says, "toss them away."
The Good News says, "wipe out all the wrongs."

In your own words describe what God is doing with your sins by defining these phrases:
Cover over:  __________________________________________

Sewing up: ___________________________________________

Tossing away: _________________________________________
 
Wiping out: ___________________________________________

Let this be your reminder that God does not want you taking your guilt, and shame into the new year.  He is wrapping it up and preparing you for something wonderful in the new year.