Happy New Year! These words have been repeated multiple times over the last few days. The intent is generally positive, but what does a happy new year actually look like? How is it defined? For some, a good year is identified by financial prosperity. Others would be more concerned with good health. Some might be hoping for the restoration of broken relationships. There is nothing wrong with pursuing these situations in our lives, however, they are not guaranteed. Therefore, if we place our hope for a happy new year in these outcomes, we will likely be disappointed. Even if they meet our desired outcomes, we may still feel unfulfilled.
However, we are not without the ability to ensure a good new year. In fact, God has promised it is possible and provides all we need to see that it happens. One place this is presented to us is in Psalm 4. Read these words of King David with an open heart and mind and allow God to embed them into your longings for this new year. Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. 2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah 3 Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. 4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. 6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
The first verse is David’s plea for relief from the struggles of this life. God does not reject his request but answers him in a way that may have been different from David’s plan. In verse two, God reminds David that the cause of this life’s problems is often our desire to find happiness in the wrong place. God challenges David to abstain from seeking false gods. We no longer seek after Baal, or Molek, or other idols mentioned in Scripture. However, we must still be aware of this potential problem. A false god is anything in which we place our trust more than we trust in God. Therefore, a false god could be our pursuit of financial success, perfect health, or untroubled relationships, to name a few.
Again, God is not condemning these things in our lives, but is reminding us that as men seeking to know and honor God, our genuine fulfillment can only be found in him. Evaluating our motives and confessing those things that we have allowed to take priority in our lives ahead of our Lord, frees him to show his abundance in a powerful way.
Verse 7 gives us the result of this renewed focus. Great joy, restful peace, and ensured safety. These are outcomes that can only be achieved by placing our full confidence in God’s grace and focusing our priorities on his priorities.
This is how we ensure a Happy New Year! This is how we guarantee the outcome of our search. This is how we honor our Lord and show his grace to a lost world.
So, have a Happy New Year!