Confession; I’m a fan of the phrase, “New year, new you.” Don’t judge me until you hear me out, because you may not realise a new year has begun.
“New year, new you.”
The Hebrew New Year – Rosh Hashanah – occurs each September and is a significant time of celebration. Trumpets are sounded and joy fills the people as they anticipate what God is bringing by way of blessing. There is a special key here for you, but first, allow history to create context.
“anticipate what God is bringing by way of blessing“
When God created mankind, He did so with delight and desire. The declaration of God was profound; “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply!’” (Genesis 1:28)
This blessing came in the form of an invitation to partnership, to work together with God, but more on that later.
The special key for you that can be found in the Hebrew New Year is discovered by unpacking the numerical meaning of the year, which is number 5783 in the Hebrew calendar. Specific attention should be paid to the numerals which carry meaning through historical experience and the literal characters (letters) used in the original language. To keep things brief, the meaning I have taken from wide reading is for us to expect to see God bring consequence for our commitment, which for the faithful will look like abundance, brilliance and expansion.
“expect to see God bring consequence for our commitment“
Tie these two themes together and you will see that God has invited each of us to live in partnership with Him so that we will see the fruitful multiplication that is part of His design (creation).
“God has invited each of us“
My encouragement for you as we anticipate the Hebrew New Year, is to walk with more expectation than you have in recent years. (Thank God we survived the last three years!)
But expectation is not enough for you to enjoy the fruit of God’s promised blessing. To expect something is to believe it is likely to happen and does not require action. This is not partnership. However, to anticipate something is to carry expectation and then move in action as a result of the expectation. This is more like faith, as the Bible teaches us that faith is an action word. (James 2:18)
“faith is an action word“
As I consider these thoughts, I’m stating that my theme for the next year is “Living Better.” This comes from the promise God gives us in the Hebrew year 5783 which is clearly connected to His purpose in creating mankind for relationship and partnership.
Is it time for a new year that brings a new you? Is it time to turn to God and live in partnership with Him?