It is customary to hear people expressing wishes and resolves at the dawn of a new year. But I contend that though believers can have specific goals like anyone else, we can say that in one sense his desires and goals don’t change every year. He constantly desires that the desires of his heart always align with those of Jesus. Fortunately, Jesus’ desires are made known to us through Scriptures. I would summarise them in two categories:

This is more than one year wish. This was the reason Paul labored (Colossians 1:28-29) and the reason we are saved (Romans 8:29)

How do I know if I am bearing fruit?

In a time of so much confusion, simple words need to be explained in order to avoid ambiguity. How will I know that I am growing in this grace?

I like to say that our spiritual growth has four aspects that must integrate completely.

How do I grow?

We could skim several verses to see what God has availed for our growth. But I think Psalm 23 is an extraordinary summary capable of summarising everything.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. Ps 23.2

HE MAKES ME…

He is responsible for our growth. We should never think that our growth comes through our efforts. It's good to have holy desires but we shouldn't worry too much as if everything depends on us. Elsewhere Jesus asked this rhetorical question: And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Luke 12.25-26

He was referring to our daily concerns but it also applies to our spiritual life.

Lie down in green pastures

C. H Spurgeon, the famous 19th British preacher beautifully commented:

What are these “green pastures” but the ever-fresh, ever-rich, never-exhausted Scriptures of truth? …Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; wholesome food for the souls, for the tender grass is a natural food for sheep. When by faith we can find rest in the promises, we are like sheep sleeping in the pasture; we find both food and peace, rest and refreshment, serenity and satisfaction.

He leads me to quiet waters.

If the previous part insisted on the Word of God, here the symbolism refers to the Spirit which is often compared to fresh water even in other parts of the Bible. Spurgeon commented again by saying:

What are these “still waters” if not the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? His Spirit accompanies us in various operations, like waters in the plural to cleanse, refresh, fertilize, cherish. These are “still waters,” for the Holy Spirit loves peace and blows no ostentatious trumpets in His operations. It can flow into our soul, but not into that of our neighbor, and therefore our neighbor may not perceive the divine presence; and though the blessed Spirit pours its floods into one heart, he who sits next to the favorite may know nothing of it. (1)

Let’s get practical…

It is of great importance that our commitment to the Word of God be demonstrated by practical resolutions. Our desire to grow must not remain on a superficially emotional level but must be translated into concrete actions. How will you study the Bible in 2024? Martin Luther offers us his method. Martin Luther said he studied his Bible the same way he picked apples. He encourages us by saying:

“I study my Bible as I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest might fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf. “I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree. Then I shake every limb—study book after book. Then i shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters when they do not break the sense. Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings.” (2)

Green Pastures as one of Little Flock Ministries works hundreds of people each year, by combining the two methods, reading the Bible systematically, book by book to get the big picture, and meditating on a few passages every day.

What we propose in 2024

Those who use Green Pastures Application can either read the Old Testament in 47 weeks by reading two chapters per day excluding weekends or the NT and Psalms. Or you can read 4 chapters a day, two from the NT and two from the OT. They will find introductions to each book and a daily meditation, mostly translated into Kirundi from D.A Carson's commentary, For the Love of God.

Irenaeus, one of the Fathers of the Church, used to say that God the Father has two hands, mutually compatible Word and Spirit through which He cares for us. Our spiritual growth depends on the graceful operations of the Spirit as well as the Word.

I wish you a year of flourishing spiritually and bearing so much fruit for the glory of God.

(1) Charles H Spurgeon (1834-1892) - Exposition of Psalm 23 from The Treasury of David

(2) Quote found here