Know God, Serve God and Seek God in the New Year

 Just a few days into the New Year, many Americans are trying to keep the resolutions they made as the clock struck midnight in the waning minutes of 2014.

Studies show that many of those resolutions will fall by the wayside in less than a month. In fact, according to a University of Scranton “Journal of Clinical Psychology” study conducted last New Year’s Day, of the 45 percent who make New Year’s resolutions, just three-quarters will keep them for a week. One month after the start of the year, about two-thirds will abandon those goals, and six months down the road, less than half will maintain those commitments.

But one resolution that’s worth keeping is the straightforward advice David gave to his son, Solomon, in the Old Testament so many years ago. The simple, three-step lesson is still applicable today. 

American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) President Sam Rohrer talked about the resolution-worthy lesson of David in a recent APN daily “Stand in the Gap” radio feature, heard on more than 40 stations around the country. This month, the American Family Radio Network will begin airing the one-hour APN program, “Stand in the Gap Weekend,” bringing APN’s radio presence to more than 180 stations. 

“With Christmas behind us, we now anticipate a New Year,” said Rohrer, who is also President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “This is a great time to look back and then plan ahead. The most simple yet powerful recipe for success and assurance of God’s blessing in the New Year is King David’s advice to his son, Solomon.” 

In 1 Chronicles 28:9, Rohrer continued, King David told his son to know God, serve God and seek God. Rohrer added that, especially as the New Year approaches, APN encourages pastors to teach God’s plan for blessing and prosperity contained in the simple principle of obedience to God’s word. 

David encouraged Solomon to “know God,” not just in his head, but personally. He also taught his son to “serve God,” not half-heartedly, but with all his heart and mind. Finally, David told Solomon to “seek God” every day for wisdom, strength and favor.

“When we think of the sometimes self-centered, materialistic resolutions we make,” Rohrer said, “this one will not only bring us closer to God, but permeate every other area of our lives. That’s a resolution worth keeping all year long.”