Welcome to the first week of the year. The first week of the year is often a continuation of the last week of the old year – per the days of the week. It does not always begin on the traditional ‘first day of the day of the week’. It is, however, a new beginning; because it always begins with the first day of the year. This week is a global new beginning. The challenge is that whereas God wants to turn an end into a new beginning, the enemy wants to turn the new beginning to an end. Is it not a surprise that many new things begin on the last day of the year while many things – including lives – end at the beginning of a new year. It is a mystery.
The first week of the year is a core first season week. It is the nucleus of the first seven weeks of the year. The Bible patterns for understanding the first week of the year are 1) the first day of creation narrative; 2) the first book and first chapters of the Bible; 3) the first seven books of the Bible.
The first week of the year is a first day of creation week. On the day first day of creation, God made light, contained darkness, and instituted time. Day and night began on the first day of creation. The first week of the year is the time to begin the work of the year. As God began with light, begin the work of the year with the introduction of the ‘light of the year’. God is light. His word is light. Knowledge is light. Righteousness is light. Begin the year by giving God His place in your life. God is First and the first belongs to Him. After creating light, God instituted time. Begin the work of the year with planning time. Give time to things. Lay the foundation for the use of time in the year.
The first week is a book of Genesis week in the First 49 days of the year. Every thing that pertains to the first seven weeks of the year also applies to the first week of the year as a seven day season. The first week of the year is for honoring the Lord – through receiving His word and acting on it. The book of Genesis is book of divine initiatives. The first 49 days of the year is for initiatives the year’s moves; and the first week is the time to start. The book of Genesis was intended to be a record of God’s new beginning, the devil sought to make it and end. The end of God’s life in man; the end of man’s residence in the Garden of Eden; the end of humanity, the end man’s one language, the end nations, and the end of God’s fellowship with man.
The first week of the year is a Genesis 1-7 week. What happened in Genesis 1-7? It is the beginning and end of the old humanity. In Genesis 1, God created time, space, land sea, vegetation, luminaries, sea creatures, birds, land animals, and man. In Genesis 2, the story of creation continued with life in the Garden, the naming of animals, and the institution of marriage. In Genesis 3, man sinned against God, died spiritually, and was driven out of the Garden. Genesis 4 is the story of life outside the Garden: the first, second, and third births occur Cain, Abel, and Seth; the first murder occurs with Cain killing Abel; a curse is placed on Cain. Genesis 5 is a record of the first human race – where men lived hundreds of years before death. Enoch lived 365 years and departed the earth without dying. His son, Methuselah, lived longer than any other man; 969 years! In Genesis 6, God regretted making man and vowed to wipe of humanity because of their wickedness. Noah found favor before God and was instructed to build the Ark of safety from the flood. In Genesis 7, humanity perished in the flood. Only, his family, and the animals they took with them were saved.
The first week of the year is a Genesis-to-Judges week. The first seven books of the Bible are applicable to the first seven days of the year. In the book of Genesis, God created the universe and man. In the same book, God began to form a nation from Abraham’s family. From the book of Exodus, Israel became a distinct nation. In the book of Joshua, God gave the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants for possession and inheritance. God intended that Israel would be His “Let there be light” to the world. From the book of Judges, Israel began to turn away from God. Disasters and oppressions followed.
The first week of the year is a Genesis to Second Samuel season in the first first 49 days of the year. The first ten books of the Bible began with Adam and ended with David. It began with the man God made in His image and ended with the man after God’s heart. It is a season of representation. It is a season to be preoccupied with God. It is a time to touch God’s heart through alignment with His plans and purposes. It is for those who know God is First and put Him first. It is also a season rebellion against God and against good. This is when the devil tempts men to recruit them to disregard God and live independently. He wants them to focus on themselves instead of focusing on the Creator. Those who yield to the temptation of the devil inadvertently make themselves enemies of God. This can become a season of blessing or cursing; a season of mercy or wrath.
The first week of the year is a week of beginnings and endings. It is a documented fact that the deadliest season of any year is the first week of the year. The happenings of the the first week have a great impact in the year. In this week of 2020, on the third day of the week, the US killed a top Iranian General, Qasmen Soleimani, in a targeted air-strike near Iraqi airport. Iran vowed ‘severe revenge’ and the US threatened to do more harm. That was a week of pain for Iran and a week of fear and anxiety, over war, for the world.
PRAYERS FOR THE FIRST WEEK
Thank you, Father, for leading me through the past year into this new year. I am here today because you made it happen.
O Father, let this first week of the year be a a week of new things that will last.
O Father, deliver me from seeking my own will and from going my own way in this week. Help me to pursue your will without distractions or falling into temptations.
O Father, grant me grace to stay humble before you and be open to corrections from your word or from people speaking in your name.
O Father, grant me grace to walk with you by faith; because without faith it is impossible to please God; and two cannot work together unless they agree. Lead me to escape falling into the grave of this week.
O Father, have mercy on me, with respect to any sin, failure, shortcoming, or fault, in my life. For give me and cleanse me from every uncleanliness.
O Father, save me from the disasters of this week. Let me not become victim of judgment or divine displeasure. Let the name and blood of Jesus speak for me this week.
This week, may the Lord grant you a smooth take-off in the year. Happy first week of the year.
