Texts: Psalm 65:1-13
One good way to begin our year is to read a Psalm of David and to see how King David celebrated the goodness of God.
v1. Praise God - a pledge to fulfill, vows
v2. Men will come to you - you hear and answer Prayers
v3. A God who Pardons sins and transgression
v4. Blessings to those who dwell in your sanctuary
v5. Awesome deeds of righteous, healing, hope
v6-7. Power of your hand - stilling the seas and storms of life
v8. Bring songs of joy - dawn to dust
v9-10 Your Providing - enriched the land
v11. You crown the year with Your goodness
v.12-13 The land overflows with Your abundant - meadows and valley sing for joy
The Greek's word for happiness is 'makarios'. But when Jesus peached the sermon on the mount, He used the same word 'makarios' but gave it a totally different meaning.
"Blessed (Happy) are the poor in spirit..., Blessed are those who mourn...,
Blessed are the meek... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteous..."
Jesus is saying - happiness (makarios) comes not from having the things you want but from living and following the teachings of Jesus.
Every New Year is a passage of Time and the Bible has some important things to say about time. Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-14,17. What is King Solomon trying to tell us:
a) we live in a world of changes: some inevitable, some avoidable
b) nothing is permanent this side of heaven, today we live, tomorrow gone, today its joy, tomorrow grief and sorrow, today it's sunshine, tomorrow rain
c) God is in control, He brings joy and blessings. He allows afflictions and difficulties, to strengthen one faith
d) God will bring to judgement - v7, how we have utilised our time and our activities. He has set eternity in the hearts of men (v14)
Another important way of ensuring a Happy New Year is to Ponder over the past in order to make PREPARATION for the future. The reason for pondering over the past is to:
a) remember the goodness of God and how He has helped us
b) recognise our failures and to rectify our sins
The Bible is full of admonitions to ponder and reflect over our past (Isaiah 46:9, Jeremiah 6:16).
Conclusion:
1. Happiness is to know the Saviour
2. Happiness is to know the goodness of God in good and difficult times
3. Happiness is to ponder the past and prepared for the future
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