God Crowns the Year with Goodness

Crowns.

I imagine the three kings of Orient in a Christmas play. My mind’s eye pictures inauguration ceremonies of royal monarchs.

Perhaps we envision crowning moments of beauty pageants. Or, iconic Disney princesses displayed in crowns that dazzle.

I even think of paper crowns from Burger King.

And plastic versions adorned with jewels…the finishing touch to a little girl’s costume.

God’s Promise of Goodness

But tucked inside God’s Word we find a unique meaning for crown. The action verb is used to describe a calendar year.

“You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)

Sparks from New Year’s fireworks spark our intentions to make this year, the new year, better than ever. Still, what if we went into 2023 trusting in God’s promise of goodness?

Then, regardless of plans or goals or dreams, our ultimate hope lies in God’s goodness. Because we don’t always know what tomorrow holds, even after we’ve planned. None of us knew what last year would bring. So there’s no sure-fire way to know what will transpire this year.

The Real Crowned King

But we can know this: God doesn’t change. He’s the real crowned King, the only promise-keeper who always keeps His promises.

And we’re confident the Lord of lords and the King of kings will walk with us every step of the way in the new year. Every step.

Above all, I want my year to be crowned with God’s goodness. Not just any goodness. Our version of goodness—the human kind—often fails. People aren’t good all the time. Even crowned people.

Therefore, my heart longs for, hopes in, and believes God’s promise to crown January through December with goodness.

Although dark moments and hard circumstances may come my way. Somehow and someway, the Lord will bring good from whatever happens.

Like Psalm 103:4b reminds us that it’s God “who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy” (ESV). A firm love and unwavering mercy shows off God’s divine goodness. Because goodness is not only something God does, but who He is.

Crowning Moments

The goodness of God tops inauguration ceremonies of presidents and kings. It trumps titles this world offers.

Iconic symbols of earthly crowning moments? Each wanes in comparison to the only One worthy to wear a royal crown. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Yes, a new calendar year is here. Yet, a day is coming when I will wear a crown of gold (Psalm 21:3). The crown of life will be placed on my head (James 1:12), because Jesus wore a crown of thorns for me. And for you.

A New Year’s Prayer:

Lord, I worship You seated on the throne, high and lifted up. I magnify Your majesty and splendor. You are worthy to be praised and exalted above all earthly kings, authority and crowns. Help make my plans, my goals, and my dreams as You would have them in this year. Thank you that no matter what tomorrow holds, You are good all the time and Your goodness never changes. Never. I cling to the promise that You will crown my year with goodness for in You alone is spiritual abundance. Lord, I crown You with many crowns and lay my earthly crowns at Your feet. Amen.

Featured images courtesy of Adobe Express.

Also see, Live and Move with God in the New Year.