Years ago, 2004 was just a part of our thoughts and
vision, now it’s an important part of our course of
life. We praise and thank God for everything. He made
all things beautiful and wonderful for His honor and
glory.
New Year’s Day is a remarkable day of hope, freedom
and thanksgiving. It has been said and accepted, “The
best is yet to come.” We look forward for better
things, we have the freedom to think and decide for
ourselves, but most of all, God has given us a joyful
opportunity to give thanks unto Him for His greatness,
mercy, grace and faithfulness.
Different people from different parts of the world
celebrate New Year’s Eve with different customs and
traditions according to their own beliefs and
practices, but they have one thing in common, all
rejoice for that memorable and blessed Eve. New Year
gives cheer to everyone. Despite the uncertainties of
the future, all look for hope, peace and joy. All
people want progress in many ways. Nations of the
world cry for peace, prosperity and security.
Political, financial and military progress and
stability are well-dreamed by all nations. Big and
small corporations want good public image and
advancement for their products and services. They want
to improve their marketing strategies and position
themselves for a curve advantage. Organizations of all
kinds surely look for better standing and performance.
Even small organizations desire to go global and take
advantage of what high technology could offer for the
betterment of their worldwide presence. People of all
races crave for better identity and acceptance. Truly,
every man looks for prosperity this year 2004.
Prosperity is a well-loved word today, a well-spoken
word everywhere, but the clarity of its substance is
not well-defined. In III John 2, Apostle John
said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou
mayest prosper and be in health, even thy soul
prospereth.” What caring words from John to Gaius. He
was not talking of prosperity as most people express
today, but he was concern of more essential things.
Physical health is an unquestionably treasure of a
living man. A rich man with a poor health depicts an
imbalance wealth. A poor man in his good health is
better than a half dead rich man. But Apostle John was
more interested on spiritual prosperity than other
kinds of progress.
Spiritual prosperity is always crowded out from the
minds of many and is always set aside in favor of
material prosperity. As we study Joshua 1:8, we will
realize that the “way prosperous” is not what
most men have in mind, which is material success.It is
more of prosperous course of life. What is written in
Joshua 1:8 is a guide for us so we may understand and
focus our eyes of faith on more valuable things
related to intelligence and wisdom which we can use
in our course of life. God wants us to be equipped
with spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
These essential things lead us to spiritual maturity
and shape us to be courageous and hope for more
victories as we take our journey in the path of faith.
Spiritual success should be desired rather than
worldly success. Putting God first in our daily lives
will not deprive us earthly success, but assuredly, it
is a turning point to gain all good victories.
Attaining good success in life is promised and written
in the Holy Bible, therefore, we should not put aside
what God said concerning true success.
How to have a prosperous course of life:
(I) We Need The Word Of God
Joshua 1:8
-As a part of our speech
-As a part of our thought life
-As a part of our action
-As a part of our faith
-As a part of our vision
No man could live a decent life and no Christian could
live a separated life, without the Word of God to
guide him as he lives in this wicked and dying world.
God’s Word energizes our faith. It leads us to walk in
the right path and guards us from the deceitfulness of
sin. The Word of God stirs our heart to know the true
value of true wisdom and live by her in the fear of
the Lord.
(II) We Need Strength And Courage
Joshua 1:9
-We need physical and spiritual strength
-We need inner strength
It is written in Isaiah 40:30-31, Even the youths
shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall
utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall
renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they
shall walk, and not faint.
True strength cannot be measured by carrying visible
and heavy loads or by how a man puts down his
strongest enemy through his physical strength. On the
other hand, a man can display his strength even in his
humiliating defeat during his darkest night. Excellent
composure in times of defeat is an excellent display
of inner strength. We need inner strength that comes
from God, so we can valiantly conquer our enemies as
we serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(III) We Need The Abiding Presence
Of God
Joshua 1:9 II Kings 18:5-7
-Expression of His loving-kindness toward those
who put their trust in Him
Like Joshua, so with King Hezekiah, enjoyed the
blessings of the Lord and experienced the abiding
presence of God through out their lives. In II Kings
18:7, it is written, And the LORD was with him; and he
prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled
against the king of Assyria, and serve him not.
Going through the course of life is not an easy
journey. Considering the perils we are facing, the
enemies we are encountering day after day and the
worsening uncertainties of the future, truly, we need
the abiding presence of God.
It’s high time for us to pray intensely and ask God
for an increase of spiritual knowledge, understanding
and wisdom. Increase of faith is a must. Enemies of
Truth are yet to be conquered and our set goals are
yet to be achieved. As we look up and fix our eyes to
Jesus, we also see glimpse of hope and victories ahead
of time. Every challenge is an invitation to success.
Every step of faith we take escorts us to a well-lived life.
As we start the year with prayers and thanksgiving,
may we not forget what Peter wrote in II Peter 1:3-4.
According as his divine power hath given to us all
things that pertain unto life and godliness, through
the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and
virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the
divine nature, having escape the corruption that is in
the world through lust.
May the power of God be displayed wonderfully through
His children through out the Year 2004. To God be the
glory!
