“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” Proverbs 22:4

Everyone desires a satisfying life, marked with riches and honour. My prayer is that this year will be such for you, in Jesus name. The question is; ‘how do we get that kind of life?’ Today’s scripture gives us the answer – by humility and the fear of the Lord. So, determine to cooperate with God so that this year will be characterised by riches, honour and complete satisfaction.

Humility is generally defined in the dictionary as ‘the quality of not thinking that you are better than other people’. So, humility is in the heart and nobody may ‘see’ it ordinarily. In the contest of this scripture, it more so refers to your relationship with God. Simply put, ‘you do not think your idea is better than that of God’s’! Maintain a humble attitude toward every man and more importantly, toward God. No matter what you think about anything, God’s view wins – God’s word is final!

Maintain this attitude at home, at work, in church, and in the community. In addition to this, walk daily in reverential fear of God. You will be amazed how you will walk into riches, great honour before God and man, as well as a fulfilling long life.

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction’                                          Proverbs 4:7

The message version says ‘start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning’. The truth is this; the more of God you know and the more you imbibe God’s ways, the more wisdom in dealing with all life’s issues you possess.

Job 28:20 – 28 in Message version is a very interesting read…

“So, where does Wisdom come from? And where does Insight live? It can’t be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly. If you search through the graveyard and question the dead, they say, ‘we’ve only heard rumors of it.’ God alone knows the way to Wisdom; he knows the exact place to find it. He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven. After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning, He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready. Then he addressed the human race: ‘Here it is! Fear-of-the-Lord-that’s Wisdom and Insight means shunning evil.’”    

The fear of the Lord here means the reverence for God, based on your knowledge of Him. Determine to walk in reverence for God as regards every aspect of your life today and you will discover that you will find it easy to know the right thing to do each time; you certainly will walk in all-round wisdom.

‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting, get understanding’                                    Proverbs  4:7

After you have committed your way to the Lord in the New Year; you need the wisdom to navigate your way through the entire year. Our scripture today makes it clear that your principal pursuit should be for wisdom, and I believe it is available otherwise God would not say we should ‘get it’.

Eccl 10:15 says ‘The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them; because he knoweth not how to go to the city’. The foolish labour quite all right, but it leads not only to his frustration, but everybody with him is wearied! Wisdom gives you ‘the how’ to do all that you have to do, in order to see your prayers come to pass through the year. That wisdom is available as you seek God in prayer and as you look daily in His word. Make that your pursuit this year; determine to daily seek God and meditate on His word. Do this and you will daily find the light and direction to your path of success.       

Remember this: God has all the wisdom you need to handle every issue that you will be faced with this year. Determine to seek God and His word daily to get the wisdom you need. Start today.

Begin with God

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth    Gen 1:1

At the beginning of all things, we see God. He is the origin and the creator of all things. All things found their start in Him. The scripture says all things hold together in Christ (Col 1:17). At the beginning of every phase of our lives, it is an opportunity to establish God at the helms of our affairs, and commit all things to His hands afresh. It has become a tradition for people at the beginning of a new year to make new resolutions and new plans, purchase new clothes, prepare special delicacies and of course have special gatherings.

At this time, I would want to encourage you to review your past year and put the new in clear perspective. Today gives you an opportunity to rekindle your hopes of achieving your God given dreams and aspirations. You can ‘begin life again’ as it were. Take advantage of this day. Make today your fresh beginning. Decide to give God priority in every affairs of your life. Decide to approach your life with fresh hope and vigor. Decide to go for the best that God has for you in faith. Decide today to live your life pleasing to the Lord.

Take your relationship, business or career to the next level with God. Commit your ways afresh to the Lord and make up your mind to follow His views, instructions and guidance every day of this New Year. Acknowledge Him and He will surely direct your path and perfect all that concerns you. Do have a peaceful and fruitful New Year, in Jesus name.