Our resolutions for the year must be predicated on God as Christians because God is in charge of our affairs. Psalms 59: 13 says God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth.Daniel 5: 21 also says the Most High God rules the kingdom of men, and sets over it whom he will. All things are subject to God’s authority and command. Jeremiah 32: 27 says I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me? God knows our needs prior to our birth for he said in Jeremiah 1: 5, before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
God has his own plans for us and wants us to fit our plans into his rather than fashioning something for ourselves which deviates from his plan for us. Jeremiah 29 says for I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. As we begin the New Year with our multiple and several resolutions, we pray that the Lord should guide us by his word to know what we must and must not do and how and when to do it to his glory and honour through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Watch and pray
This world is a complex arena of spiritual battles. We face imminent dangers and confrontations designed to enslave our souls. Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; and Luke 21:36, watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. Prayer and vigilance are the keys to our success with our New Year resolutions.
Ephesians 6: 12 says we are not contending against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Prayer will make us spiritually strong and protective by the Holy Spirit. We must pray to know God’s will for our lives in order to be on the right track. Jeremiah 29 says for I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Our hopes and future plans must rest in Jesus Christ our Lord this year and always.
Be cautious always in all things
In chasing our resolutions, we are likely to step on the toes of others. We must be careful as some who we may offend will most probably not take it kindly and may go any length to retaliate without restraint. Death, sicknesses, attacks or vilification are examples of the retaliatory measures by the offended. Proverbs 14: 12; 16: 25 say there is a way which seems right to man, but its end is the way to death. We will pay for whatever we do.
Galatians 6:7 says do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. We must pursue our resolutions in love and in truth. 1 John 4:20 says if any one says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. Many have lost their lives because of greed and inconsiderate aggression. Romans 6:23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We must guard our lives with Jesus.
Be realistic and diligent
Some of our goals are not realistic or they defy wisdom but outside our capacity. Resolutions must not be influenced by unhealthy competition, ego, status or public recognition. God’s name will be honoured and glorified if we are able to fulfill our resolutions. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. If it is fashioned in righteousness, God will support us. Luke 12: 26 says if then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
Our goals must also be pursued with diligence and fortitude with divine guidance. Hebrews 10: 35 says do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Confidence is no panacea to unrealistic goals. Realistic dreams are achievable. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: 7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. We can achieve results with diligence and God’s guidance if we trust him.
Know-Your-God through Christ Jesus
Sometimes we ask amiss because we do not know our God or we do not understand Him. Our God is a God of needs and not wants. Paul said in Philippians 4:19, my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Jesus Christ. God will not provide our wants because He has not promised so. He will also not honour wants if they may destroy us.
God is also the owner and supplier of all good things. Matthew 7: 11 says if you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Whilst God is willing to meet our dreams, those needs must be fashioned with spiritual guidance and in truth to God’s glory and honour and for the benefit of society. John 4:24 says God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. What are the objectives of our resolutions before God this year?
Have an attitude of accountability
Everything we do or desire to achieve has a start and end date. At the end of the day, we shall render accounts to God for our stewardship to God and to man. We may by some deed escape accountability to man but certainly not with God. Matters such as facts, rewards or punishments are not reversible in eternity. As we cut corners in life in order to make it quick in life, we must be reminded that God is watching our schemes and resolutions.
Hebrews 9:27 says it is appointed unto man to die once and thereafter comes judgment. Matthew 12:36 says on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. In setting our resolutions for the New Year, we must have eternity in contemplation or focus so we may be guided by good and honest behaviour and relationships which pleases God.
PrayerDear Lord Jesus Christ, your word in Psalms 98: 1 says, O sing to the Lord a new song; for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. It is by your marvelous deeds that we are entering the New Year in victory. Graciously let us abide in your love and in your protective might throughout the year. Give us a heart of wisdom to first seek your face always. We humbly pray in your holy name, Amen!!
