How to end 2016 as a Year & Begin 2017 as a New Year
In the book of Samuel , we read the following verses : “ But Samuel was ministering before the Lord - a boy wearing a linen ephod . Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice … Meanwhile the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord .” ( 1Sam . 2 : 18-21 ).
These words reflect Hannah ’ s wisdom in raising up her growing son ; she used to get him a robe at the beginning of each year because she realized that the old one no longer fit this ever-growing boy . The old robe was good for the whole of the previous year , it even looked elegant on Samuel which brought a smile on his face , but now and after one whole year , the robe was too old , quite worn out and the boy had outgrown it . I want to point to something here : just as Hannah cared for her son , Samuel , and blessed him with a new robe as a new year gift which indeed cheered the little boy ’ s heart , your heavenly father loves you and wants to give you new things at the beginning of each year … the years of your life are very precious in his eyes . He enjoys celebrating each year of your life with you just like any true father would ; his heart rejoices as he sees you growing and as he sees his dreams for you coming to pass . For this reason , he prepares a new gift for you at the beginning of each new year for he perceives that last year ’ s presents are no longer enough .
In the same way , we have to realize that there were certain things in our life that seemed beautiful , wonderful and even gladdened our hearts at the beginning of last year , but will no longer suffice us in the coming year even if some of these items were gifts from the Lord himself . Dearly beloved maybe not just for one year but for many years , some have not exchanged their robes for new ones , some might have not been growing or changing for some time now , maybe they have been living with the same dreams and ideas for too long , with the same old experiences of some past time and which have become too scanty for facing today . As the years go by , such persons celebrate the new year superficially , not realistically . Let us remember Paul ’ s words in 1Corinth13:11 : “ When I was a child , I talked like a child ; I thought like a child , I reasoned like a child . When I became a man , I put childish ways behind me .” Paul is stating here that when we move from one year to another in the process of our continual growth , we don ’ t only obtain new things , we also put old things behind us ; the things that suited our childhood and the previous stages are no longer proper for us now .
Do not let the circles of busyness in life circumscribe you within itself ; rather let us relax and take some quiet moments to evaluate our lives . I invite you to do that in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus ; sit in his presence and submit to his leadership . Let the center of your prayer and evaluation in front of the Lord be :
• The old robe is no longer fit for the coming year , what then is the new robe that you have in store for me ?
• When I became a man , I put aside childish ways ; what are the things that need to end in my life , that I need to put behind me ? Here are some practical steps to help you begin a different year with God
• Enter into his presence : Enter your room , close the door and spend some private time with your God because he has things to tell you . Do not leave his presence in a hurry for he loves to fellowship with you . The times that you spend with him result in precious and unique changes in your life that are not matchable . Submit your life to him and surrender everything . Do not live under the influence of your own thoughts or plans or under the influence of other people ’ s words on your life . Humble yourself under his hand , trust his love ; get ready for a powerful encounter with him . As this year comes to an end , consecrate more time to spend in his presence , you will behold him and he will increase your experiences which will grow deeper day by day . You will never be able to change on your own , God by his Spirit will work that in you every time he finds you submissive to him and waiting upon him .
• Deal with the old robe : The
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