As I’ve sought the Lord about 2016, I’ve heard over and over: This will be your greatest year ever! Best of all, God has confirmed that it with His Word, drawing me again and again to Malachi 3, which details seven clear-cut promises for those who act in faith. When God speaks, He cannot lie. His Word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:11). These seven promises were made long ago, but they are timeless, and you can claim them in 2016:
1. God will send an outpouring and will ”open you the windows of heaven” (verse 10). ”Windows of heaven” always involves revival. The Lord promises to revive every person who obeys Him.
2. God will send prosperity—no lack—for He promises to “pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (verse 10). Think about it! God Almighty declares clearly in His Word that givers will be prosperous—so prosperous, in fact, that there will not be room enough to receive the prosperity and blessings He has in store for those who obey.
3. God will cripple the enemy in your life and “will rebuke the devourer for your sakes” (verse 11). Years ago when I taught this in Orlando, I discovered that rebuke, to my amazement, means to “cripple” or “to paralyze.” God Almighty will actually cripple the enemy on your behalf when you tithe. Giving is so important to the Lord that He promises to paralyze and cripple the enemy so he will not be able to touch your life!
4. God will protect your finances, for we are told that the enemy of your soul ”shall not destroy the fruits of your ground” (verse 11). Satan, whom God has crippled on your behalf, will not be able to touch your finances. The ”fruits of your ground” refers to your money. As a result of your obedience to the Lord in your giving, the enemy will not be able to touch your money.
5. God will keep your family safe from the enemys hand and promises, ”Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field” (verse 11). It is remarkable that Jesus later said, ”I am the vine, ye are the branches” (John 15:5). The vine here means the family, and God gives this amazing promise to the giver when He says that if you obey the Lord in your giving, the enemy will not touch your family.
6. God will cause you to be a great witness of His power and blessings to the nations, for the Word proclaims, “All nations shall call you blessed” (verse 12). God will bless and prosper you so that the nations of the world will see the His blessings on you. In other words, you will be a mighty witness of the power and blessings of God.
7. God will use you for His glory, for He promises, ”Ye shall be a delightsome land,” (verse 12). Delightsome means “highly desired.” As you obey the Lord with your giving, He will so highly desire you that He will use you
