The thought of a new year prompts us to consider new goals. As we enter a new year, the Bible has some insight as to how we can properly prepare ourselves to follow God’s direction in the new year.
Proverbs 24:27 (KJV) Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
The above scripture tells us to ‘prepare thy work without’. Before we plan the work God has for us in the new year, we must contemplate why we are doing what we are doing.
Prepare is something you must plan to do. It is not something that will just happen. We must intentionally make time to do it. Set a time to pray and seek God’s plans for your life.
Proverbs 3:6-10 (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
Proverbs 15:22 (MSG) Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.
Thy work is something that we must do personally. God has something that He has created us for. Too often we live so consumed with what we are doing that we never actually factor in what God has in mind for us to do.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him –
Psalm 32:8 (NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Make it fit for thyself in the field – Have a plan. If we want to accomplish God’s purpose for our lives, we must establish a plan to enable us to do so. As God’s people, we must allow God’s purpose to determine our plan.
Make it fit – Make a specific plan. Luke 14:28 (MEV) For who among you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost to see whether he has resources to complete it?
Job 23:10 (AMPC) But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous].
For thyself – Make a personal plan. Psalm 32:8 (AMPC) I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
In the field -Have a practical plan. As we determine our priorities, we must keep in mind that they are to be practical. The plan must be realistic and reasonable.
Jeremiah 29:11 (AMPC) For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Afterwards, build the house – Act. “Greatness is in the preparation, not in the performance.” ― Jack Hyles
Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
“Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” ― Tom Landry
Acting is a key component to our God given purpose as humans. God gave us the power and is depending on us to fulfil his will on the earth. Let’s not deceive ourselves by knowing what we should do and not do it.