Proverbs 16:33
Ps Paul Cheng
“…for the new year into the hands of God…”
~3 min read
Dear Bethelites,
On every new year, it is customary for people to greet one another “happy new year,” and perhaps it will be no different for 2026 which is just around the corner. What does “happy new year” mean? Most likely, they mean “I hope you will be healthy, achieve successes in your career, everything will go well for you, or you will prosper in the things you do, etc.”
The Reformers, Puritans and Christians of old, would often wish each other “blessed new year” instead of “happy new year.” By “blessed” they meant internal happiness regardless of circumstances, everything that comes your way by the providential hand of God may be sanctified in you and through Christ, a continued firm trust in the faithful God who determines all things and is in control of things, so that you would be filled with spiritual fruits for His glory.
While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with using the word “happy,” but in a sense, happy seems to focus only on things physical while “blessed” on things spiritual, and most vitally, “blessed” brings God into the picture.
Most people would have new year’s resolutions, resolving to certain things, to do some things better than the last year, or things they have never done before. It is good to make resolutions and plans, as the saying goes, “If one fails to plan, he or she plans to fail.” However, oftentimes, our resolutions only have to do with things pertaining to ourselves, and little or nothing to do with God. That is a sad reality. But even when we make good spiritual plans, we need to understand that it is God who determines our plans. “Man proposes, God disposes (Proverbs 16:33).” So, our resolutions ought to be coupled with our prayers, committing our plans, decisions, aspirations and goals for the new year into the hands of God who alone is able to bring them to fruition, if it is His will and for His glory. As such, I would like to end with two “blessed” resolutions and prayers from Matthew Henry and Jonathan Edwards for our encouragement and edification.
A blessed new year to you!
Shalom,
Pastor Paul Cheng
A Resolution For The New Year — Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
This new-year’s day, I have solemnly renewed the resignation and surrender of my whole self to God, as my God, deliberately, and upon good considerations.
I have renounced the world and the flesh as knowing they cannot make me happy; and have devoted my whole self to the blessed Spirit, to be enlightened, and sanctified, and so recommended to the Son, as qualified for an interest in his mediation, according to the tenor of the gospel.
I likewise devote myself, through the Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ, as my Advocate with the Father, and my way to him; by him to be recommended to the grace and favour of God the Father, relying upon Christ’s righteousness alone; for, without him, I am less than nothing, worse than nothing.
I likewise devote myself, through the Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, as my chief good and highest end; as the author of my being, to whom I am obliged in duty; and the felicity of my being, to whom I am obliged in interest.
O Lord, truly I am thy servant. I am thy servant; may I ever be free in thy service, and never desire to be free from it. Nail my ear to the doorposts, and let me serve thee forever.
A Prayer For The New Year — Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in Thy presence, in Thy service to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I might not be one moment apart from Thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth Thy praise, testify Thy love, advance Thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with Thee, O Father, as my harbour, Thee O Son, at my helm, Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.
Give me Thy grace to sanctify me, Thy comforts to cheer me, Thy wisdom to teach, Thy right hand to guide, Thy counsel to instruct, Thy law to judge, Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear be my awe, Thy triumphs my joy.
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