TWFT: The New Year (1)

31 December 2016

‘You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness.’ Psalm 65:11 NASB

One Bible teacher says, ‘Like most people you’ve probably made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, exercise, eat better...and improve your life. But did you know that the desire to improve your life with each New Year started in the heart of God? David said, “You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness.” In Bible times “fatness” was considered a sign of material success. Moses sent twelve spies in to scout out the Promised Land and report back on whether it was “fat or lean”. They brought back word saying that it “flowed with milk and honey” (see Numbers 13:26-27). The land was so fruitful that it took two men to carry one cluster of grapes! So what will it take for you to experience God’s blessing this coming year? Note the words “crowned”, “bounty”, and “paths”. In the same way a crown encircles your head, this year you can be surrounded by God’s bountiful goodness. But something is required on your part. You must walk in His “paths” throughout the year, because only His paths “drip with fatness”. You can’t expect to experience the success God offers if you’re not willing to walk in close fellowship with Him every day. Ezekiel expresses a similar thought: “I will make them and the places around about My hill a blessing...there shall be showers of blessing [of good insured by God’s favour]” (Ezekiel 34:26 AMP Classic Edition). The places around God’s habitation will be showered with blessing and goodness; so endeavour to stay close to God each day of this year.’

Bible in a Year: Gen 1-3; Matt 1;