You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.

Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)

Welcome to 2023!

In Psalm 65, David praises God for His faithfulness and bountiful provision, rejoicing in the abundance of rain, harvest and joy. He watches how God gave new life and strength to the wilderness and hard places, causing them to blossom and bear fruit. Furthermore, David declares that God has not only blessed his people and the land for a season but that He has crowned the year with His goodness.

To be crowned is to be set apart and consecrated for God’s use and purpose.

Through Christ, we are already crowned with the goodness of God and every day we get to enjoy the benefits of our salvation. By abiding in Christ, we will flourish and be fruitful throughout our life, even in our old age. We are at a place of rest because it is the Lord’s doing. We only need to do one thing: keep receiving the fullness of life and love from Him.

Active receiving is a choice. It is not something that happens by chance. When we receive Christ, we receive the right to become God's children. When we become a child of God, we receive the anointing and authority of the Holy Spirit to carry out the work that Jesus has assigned to us. When we do the work of God’s Kingdom, we receive gifts and power to proclaim the gospel and demonstrate God's love through signs and wonders.

In spite of our insignificance and unworthiness, God has crowned us with glory and honour and appointed us to sit with Christ “in the heavenly places”.

Don't let this year pass with the same excuses for not making time to pray, study the Scriptures, or be alone with God and share with Him. Receiving from God is not a matter of time, but of priority. If you prioritise your friendship and fellowship with God, you will find the time to do so. Remember that it is not meant to be a burden, but rather a way to let you enjoy and connect with God.

If you receive actively with the right spirit and attitude, you will eventually grow a profound awareness of God's presence that informs your steps and decisions and transforms your heart and mind. So, dedicate this new year to the Lord, abide in Him, and consecrate yourself to God, filling yourself with His Word and His Spirit.

On behalf of everyone in our Firstlight church family and my family, I wish you and your loved ones a very blessed 2023, crowned with God's goodness and abundance.