Bounty

It’s that time again when we turn the corner on Autumn and head into the final sprint of December. We are here, another year having blitzed by. Where did it go? Time is a bounty there is never enough of.

While others jump on the band wagon of Christmas frenzy, the month’s turning makes me reflective. Time to consider the tenor of 2021. While we’re still in the shadow of Covid, there are prophetic words and answers to promises to revisit. How true have I remained to “the plan” God had for me? Despite the triumphs or traumas of the past 365 days, our feelings are not the measuring stick of success. Ultimately, progress is measured by how much our actions matched up with the Lord’s potentiality. Did we walk in the anointings available to us? Where did we fall short? Where did we fall down? I always do a ruthless assessment, because I believe there is a word from the Lord that is a marvelous “Last Chance to get it Right” blessing.

For decades now, I’ve wrestled with Psalm 65:11.

You crown the year with Your goodness (bounty), And Your paths drip with abundance.

What exactly does this mean? It’s like it goes up in neon lights every time. It sings in my spirit with a force impossible to ignore. I’ve written entire teaching series over this kind of rhema, so I’ve learned to pay attention. After much contemplation, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is actually a tremendous word of grace.

We may as well admit, heading into the year’s final hours, that we don’t always hit the bullseye, even with all the best efforts and intentions. I believe Psalm 65:11 is an invitation from the Lord to press in for what we missed, distained, failed to obtain or simply gave away in the tumble of unfolding days. How many times have we sailed through a moment of opportunity, only to wake up, rueing our ignorance or arrogance in failing to recognize it? How many times have we longed for a ‘do-over’? Suspected that you didn’t quite drain all the sweet juiciness out of a particular situation? What if December has a special anointing to go back and glean a second time? How bad do you want it? Bear down, concentrate, meditate, worship and commune here through December, because there is still bounty to be taken.

Remember the story of Ziklag in 1 Samuel 30? David and his merry band of men were out raiding Philistine territory. In their absence, their home, Ziklag, was attacked by the Amalekites. The raiding party took everything…women, children, livestock and spoil, burning the city and high-tailing it for the border. It was three days before David and his men returned to discover the carnage. Though his men were the toughest, most loyal in the land, the devastating news made them turn on their leader. In their grief, they were a hair’s breadth from killing David.

Before succumbing to his fear and fatigue, David sought the Lord. He asked if there was any point, any chance of success, in chasing down his enemies.

And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for you shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. 1 Samuel 30:8

Upon God’s word, David and his men pursued the host, and despite their exhaustion, did indeed overtake them and recover all. Frankly, I love this story, because it’s one that showcases how God gives second chances and helps us when we mess up, whether by our own stupidity or life’s vicious swings. It encourages us to press in to retrieve precious things we thought forever lost. The Lord is just waiting for us to ask.

He is, after all, The Redeemer. One of His main functions was to repossess enormous privileges we had forfeited: life, intimacy, authority, freedom, love, to name just a few. He’s the God of second (third, fourth, fifth) chances. Sometimes, in our fear, failure or religious perfectionism, we lose sight of that. We forget how much God is on our side, and wants to see us take the win. We discount how far He’s prepared to tip the scales to make that happen.

That’s why I’m reveling in the thought that it’s not too late to collect the spoil from 2021. This year may not have seemed auspicious, but the Lord still had a treasure trove for us. What would ‘crown’ your year? What bounty are you looking for? Don’t give up yet. Position for great exploits. Pray for unique opportunities. Ask to Recover All. I know you're tired, but don't give up yet!

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