I know this is going to sound negative but hear me out: The date on the Calendar has nothing to do with change.
While it’s tempting to believe that 2021 will miraculously be the cure for 2020, that’s just not true. But here’s the good news: You can change your future any day, at ANY moment.
When Solomon takes the throne of his father David in 2 Chronicles, we see the start of a “new year” of sorts for the nation but particularly for Solomon himself. He’s stepping into an unrehearsed reality, taking the throne of a mighty and numerous nation. He has no kingly experience and comes from the ungodly adulterous union of David and Bathsheba. You can imagine he was filled with the same insecurity common to all, maybe even more.
So what does he do first?
2 Chronicles 1:2–3 (ESV) Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. 3 And Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness, was there.
Solomon’s first act is an act of worship. He seeks God at the start of this new season of his life. Moreover, Solomon was exceedingly interested in worshipping the Lord.
2 Chronicles 1:6 (ESV) And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
Solomon starts his new season with worship and giving. NOW… into that moment, God gives Solomon the opportunity of a lifetime:
2 Chronicles 1:7 (ESV) In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”