Towards A Prosperous New Year

Prosperity

It will soon be the beginning of a new year, and many people look for a new start, set new goals, and make some New Year's resolutions.

What are your expectations for the coming new year? Do you want to be prosperous?

How do you define prosperity? Perhaps you're hoping for a new job, wealth, new opportunities, or something else for a better life.

What if prosperity was not so measurable, but more to do with values and quality of life?

Is that the kind of improvement you're seeking this year?

An enduring prosperity

Here are some wise words about those who have an enduring prosperity—

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law [teachings] of the lord, meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Picture words

Can you see the picture these words paint? There's a contrast between those who get bad advice and guidance and those who meditate on the truth of God.

In Old Testament times, the Law was the primary base for teaching. Now we have the Bible as a whole, and the teaching of Jesus, God's only Son (the gospels) and His followers (the epistles).

Those who read and think on God's Word, throughout the day and night, are like trees planted by a river. They have a constant source of nourishment, bear fruit, and never wither.

Not only that, but they prosper in all they do.

Why? Because their guidance and source of wisdom are the eternal One—the Living God.

Would you like to prosper and be blessed?

A simple way of tapping into the continual flow of wisdom God gives to whoever asks for it (James 1:5), is reading and meditating on His Word. Either by reading through it, or listening through it.

Have you ever read or listened to the whole Bible? It takes commitment but is worth the investment. Not only are there online sources for Bible reading, many of these provide audio recordings, and some good devotionals are also available online.