Similarly, we should reflect on the year 2023. Ask yourself some questions. First, are there people whom you should thank? If you are honest, you might agree that you could not have successfully completed the year 2023 without these relatives, friends including church friends, classmates or colleagues. They were there for you when you needed help. You must be grateful to and thank them for their kindness.

Second, do you see the hand of God in the year 2023? These people who stood by you could have given up on you. They do not owe it to you to help you. They also had their own challenges in life. Why would they brave life storms with you? Perhaps some helped you for their own selfish reasons. But the point remains: they did not fail you when you needed them. God kept their hearts faithful to you. You might have experienced how God answered your prayers. Perhaps you experienced how certain events happened at the right time. To the world, they were mere coincidences. Christians, however, know that nothing happens by chance. God took care of you. You must be grateful and thank God.

Third, history repeats itself. Thus, the Chinese has wisely observed that human nature does not change. What happened in the past will happen in the future. If you know the past (history), you know the future, including what would lead to failures. Then, you can take precautions to avoid failures. What mistakes did you make that led to some failures this year 2023? If you do not identify these mistakes, you will commit the same mistakes, and fail again. Therefore, what mistakes did you make this year? Ask God to help you to make the necessary changes to your life. Thus, remember to thank people. Remember to thank God. Also, know what mistakes you need to avoid in the new year.

But most importantly, if you are going to do better in the year 2024, you must understand Psalm 1:1-3,

“1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

You will only succeed in the new year if you avoid evil and delight in God’s word, that is, obey God’s word. You may be clever and resourceful. All things may seem to work in your favour. If God, however, does not give his final approval to your plans, you will never succeed. You will fail. Hence, you must do one thing in the new year: delight in God’s word. If you truly delight in God’s word, you will love to hear, read, study, and obey the Bible. Yes, you must hear, read, study, and obey God’s word. Then, the psalmist promises you, “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:3). Yes, “whatever they do prospers.” Really? Yes, because God always keeps His promises. If you are not a Christian, you need first to receive Jesus as your Saviour. Why? You have sinned against God in your thought word and deed. God cannot bless you. But when Jesus becomes your Saviour, He will forgive you your sins. Then, when you are clean, the Lord will bless you.