This post title is inspired by a recipe book I own, A Year in a Bottle by Sally Wise. It’s my go-to for making anything bottled: jams, marmalades, chutneys and so on. Being a recipe book, it’s obviously all about food.
As was my Bible verse for 2023. I usually pray a verse over a year and 2023 was Ecclesiastes 9:7 which reads:
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favours what you do.
I was actually in a period of fasting in December 2022, and about to go out to dinner with friends when a postcard with that verse literally fell into my hands. I was about to write some cards for my dinner companions and picked up a bundle. I knew straight away that this was the verse for 2023.
I also remember thinking that having this verse didn’t mean that I wouldn’t fast at all in 2023.
The ironic thing about 2023 and this verse though, is that in 2023 I have actually fasted far more than in any other year. In fact, I think if I added up all the fasting I have done in other years combined, it wouldn’t even come close to 2023’s fasting.
It’s what God called me to do across the year.
I think I’ve been reminded across this year of how little I can do in my own strength. Yet I’ve also been reminded of how, when we come to God in prayerful dependence on Him, he answers our prayers, sometimes with amazing specificity and other times far exceeding what we thought He would do.
Am I concerned about how little I ate in 2023? Not one bit. It was well worth it. Gladness, Joy and Favour standout in the Ecclesiastes verse and they also stand out to me as I reflect on 2023.
I’m glad God called me to fast.
As I write this on New Year’s Eve I don’t as yet have a verse for 2024. That’s OK. Sometimes God doesn’t make it clear for a few days into the year. He’ll make it clear when the time is right.
What about you? What has God revealed to you, if anything, about His plans for you and 2024?
Whatever they are, may you walk with Him in ever increasing dependence, knowing his profound love for you. He sees you and He knows you and He has good things in store for you.
Trust Him. He’s got a plan and has 2024 in his hands.
Yours with joy and gladness,
Alison
