FINISHING THE YEAR WITH JOY AND TESTIMONIES

FINISHING THE YEAR WITH JOY AND TESTIMONIES

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Psalm 65:11; Philippians 1:6

Key Verse: “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” (Psalm 65:11)

Supporting Texts: Isaiah 43:18-19; Joel 2:25-27; Psalm 126:1-6; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Description: God desires His children not only to begin the year well but also to finish it with joy, fulfilment, divine preservation, and overflowing testimonies.

INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest desires of every believer is to finish every season of life successfully. Many people begin the year with excitement, expectations, and resolutions, but as the months progress, challenges, disappointments, and unexpected battles may arise. However, God's desire is that His children finish stronger than they began, rejoicing in His faithfulness and celebrating His goodness.

Throughout Scripture, God consistently reveals Himself as the One who completes what He begins. He preserved Noah through the flood, sustained Joseph through years of suffering, restored Job after his trials, and fulfilled His promises to Abraham. The God who begins a good work never abandons His people halfway through their journey.

As the year draws towards its conclusion, believers should remain steadfast in faith, continue trusting God's promises, and refuse to give in to discouragement. The God who crowns the year with His goodness is able to restore lost opportunities, fulfil delayed promises, preserve our lives, and grant us testimonies that will glorify His holy name.

1. GOD PRESERVES HIS PEOPLE UNTIL THE END
God's power keeps His children safe through every season.

a. The Lord Is Your Keeper (Psalm 121:7-8)
God watches over His people continually.

b. Divine Protection Is Your Covenant (Isaiah 54:17)
No weapon formed against God's children shall prosper.

c. God Orders Your Steps (Psalm 37:23-24)
The Lord directs and sustains the righteous.

d. His Mercy Endures Daily (Lamentations 3:22-23)
God's compassion is renewed every morning.

Biblical Example: Noah and his family were preserved throughout the flood because God's hand remained upon them until the journey was completed (Genesis 7:1; 8:15-19).

2. GOD RESTORES LOST OPPORTUNITIES
No matter what has been lost, God is able to restore it.

a. God Restores Wasted Years (Joel 2:25-27)
The Lord can recover what was lost through adversity.

b. Forget Former Disappointments (Isaiah 43:18-19)
God is doing a new thing that surpasses the past.

c. God Turns Mourning into Joy (Psalm 30:11)
The Lord replaces sorrow with celebration.

d. Trust God's Perfect Timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
God makes everything beautiful in its appointed season.

Biblical Example: Job received double restoration after his season of suffering because he remained faithful to God (Job 42:10-17).

3. REMAIN FAITHFUL UNTIL THE END
Finishing well requires steadfastness and perseverance.

a. Do Not Grow Weary (Galatians 6:9)
Your harvest will come if you do not faint.

b. Keep Your Eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)
Christ is the source of strength for endurance.

c. Continue in Good Works (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Labour in the Lord always produces eternal value.

d. Finish Your Race Faithfully (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
God rewards those who remain faithful until the end.

Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul completed his ministry faithfully and confidently anticipated the crown of righteousness prepared for him (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

4. GOD CROWNS THE YEAR WITH HIS GOODNESS
The Lord delights in ending the year with abundant blessings.

a. God's Goodness Never Fails (Psalm 65:11)
The Lord crowns the year with His favour and abundance.

b. Divine Favour Opens New Doors (Psalm 5:12)
God surrounds His people with favour as with a shield.

c. Expect Greater Things (Ephesians 3:20)
God is able to exceed all expectations.

d. Give God Continual Thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Gratitude prepares the heart for greater blessings.

Biblical Example: Obed-Edom experienced extraordinary blessings because of God's presence in his house, and his testimony became known throughout Israel (2 Samuel 6:11-12).

5. FINISHING WITH JOY BRINGS GLORY TO GOD
A joyful ending becomes a testimony that honours the Lord.

a. Rejoice Always (Philippians 4:4)
Joy reflects confidence in God's faithfulness.

b. Share Your Testimony (Psalm 66:16)
Testimonies strengthen the faith of others.

c. Glorify God for Every Victory (Psalm 115:1)
Every success belongs to the Lord.

d. Prepare for Greater Seasons Ahead (Isaiah 60:1)
Each testimony prepares believers for greater glory.

Biblical Example: The Israelites returned from Babylonian captivity with joy, declaring that the Lord had done great things for them (Psalm 126:1-3).

CONCLUSION
God never intends for His children to finish any season defeated or discouraged. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who begins and completes every good work. As we remain faithful, obedient, prayerful, and hopeful, He will preserve us, restore every loss, and crown our lives with His goodness.

Therefore, do not allow present challenges to determine your expectations. Keep trusting the Lord, continue serving Him with gladness, and believe that your remaining days shall be better than the former. By God's grace, you shall finish the year with joy, divine preservation, remarkable breakthroughs, and testimonies that will bring glory to His holy name.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, preserve my life and my family until the end of this year, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, crown this year with Your goodness and abundant favour in my life, in Jesus name.

3. Father, restore every opportunity and blessing I have lost, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, strengthen me to remain faithful and steadfast until the end, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let every unfinished blessing be completed by Your mighty hand, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, turn every sorrow and disappointment into joy and celebration, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let Your divine protection continually surround me and my household, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, grant me remarkable testimonies that will glorify Your holy name, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my remaining days be more fruitful than the former days, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to finish this year with joy, thanksgiving, and lasting testimonies, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall finish this year stronger than you began it, by the grace of God.

2. The Lord shall crown your year with His goodness, favour, and abundant blessings.

3. Every lost opportunity shall be divinely restored, and your joy shall overflow.

4. You shall not be cut off before the completion of God's purpose for your life.

5. Every remaining month of this year shall bring you pleasant surprises and divine breakthroughs.

6. The hand of the Lord shall preserve you, your family, and all that concerns you.

7. You shall complete every divine assignment committed into your hands successfully.

8. The Lord shall replace every disappointment with unforgettable testimonies.

9. Your latter days of this year shall be more glorious than the former, and you shall rejoice continually.

10. You shall end this year with songs of thanksgiving, abundant joy, divine fulfilment, and undeniable testimonies, and the name of the Lord shall be glorified through your life, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.