New Year is a season where we tend to have mixed feelings as we close out the old and ring in the new. There may be contrasting emotions and feelings as we wave goodbye to the last year, and turn to face a new year. Regret, joy, sadness, anticipation, hopelessness, excitement, anger, fear, or frustration to name a few.

In the above scripture, Elisha is saying to a woman who was childless, that she will be holding a son ‘about this time next year’. Possibly, with each passing year, her hope of conceiving a child diminished just a little bit more. The bible describes her as a ‘great’ woman, yet the one thing she truly desired had eluded her.

However, she came face to face with a ‘about this time next year’ prophecy.  She recognized Elisha as a prophet and had convinced her husband to build a small chamber on the wall so Elisha could rest there whenever he passed by. (Looks like Airbnb’s were in existence way back then) .

As a reward for her generosity, Elisha gives her a prophecy that she will conceive, and exactly as prophesied, it comes to pass and miraculously she gives birth to a son. Can you identify yourself with her situation in some ways? Are your arms longing to tangibly hold a promise spoken over you years ago? Or you know the promises in God’s Word but have not experienced it personally? Have you buried your dreams with each passing year and come to accept your situation as “this is just the way it’s going to be?”

2025 is your personal “about this time next year”. You will open your arms to hold those promises, even the ones you’ve given up and buried. The Holy Spirit who watched over Elisha’s words to perform it, now lives in you. He has seen your faithfulness. You don’t have to wait for a prophet to lay hands on you or give you a prophecy. Don’t limit the Lord with time constraints. Your miracle can be sudden, instant, over a period of time, or overnight. Read the Word. Everything that you need to live a successful, victorious and abundant life for God’s glory is already promised over you.

If you read further in the story of the Shunamite woman, you will see her reply to Elisha shows she doubted his words, because logically it was impossible as her husband was old. She told him not to deceive her. But the Lord saw the silent longing in her heart. Maybe she had given up hope, maybe she had stopped praying, maybe she had settled for ‘this is just the way it’s going to be’. She was rewarded for her faithfulness in serving Him despite the fact that her dream to be a mother had not yet come to pass.

Colossians 3:23-24
²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

This year, be consistent with your prayer and expect your Father to move on your behalf. Serve Him faithfully and seek Him diligently.

As you stand on the threshold of 2025, know that the Lord who promised, will not be slack. He will reward your work.

May your joy abound as you experience His divine favor, healing, grace and abundance in 2025.In His Service,

Sohani Faria
Director
Sound of the Lord Mission