Finishing Well in 2025

Luke 4:16–20

Isaiah 61:1–3

When Isaiah spoke this prophecy, Jesus would come to earth 700 years later. In Luke 4, Jesus fulfills a prophecy that had been spoken centuries before. Notice the difference between Luke 4:19 and Isaiah 61:2.

You are going to finish well in this year of the Lord. In Luke, this moment comes after Jesus was tempted by the devil following His 40-day fast. Verse 13 tells us that after the devil finished tempting Him, he left for a time. Men and women of God, I proclaim to you today: if you have been tempted, those tests are over. The devil has no more authority over you. The end of Jesus’ testing marked the beginning of His ministry. Likewise, if the enemy has tested you this year, it is time to declare: This is the year of the Lord. I will finish well. The enemy has no power over me and cannot limit the blessings of the Lord in my life. This is the beginning of my blessings.

Verse 14 says, “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit.” After being tried and tested, He came back empowered. You who have endured challenges this year after all the trials and difficulties you too shall return in the power of the Holy Spirit. But you must remain connected to Jesus to receive the Spirit of God. It does not matter how long you have been in a season of drought, illness, unemployment, or financial struggle. If Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy after 700 years, what is one year in the eyes of the Lord? Believe that the promises of God over your life will be fulfilled.

A Journey of Faith

We all begin on January 1 with covenant renewal services. We start from the same place faithful servants with renewed purpose and faith. At the beginning of the year, spirits are high. But as the year progresses, challenges arise. Midway, struggles and difficulties shake our faith. Some who began strong in January are no longer in the same place because their faith was shaken.

Life is like a race. Runners start together, but they finish at different times and places. So it is with our faith. Ask yourself: Where am I as we finish? Am I among the first, the middle, the last or did I stop altogether? Today we declare: We are going to finish well. No one will be left behind.

Prophecy Fulfilled

Isaiah 61:2 concludes with “the day of vengeance of our God.” Prophets were sent for specific purposes—sometimes to bring judgment, other times to bring hope. Isaiah proclaimed vengeance. But in Luke 4:19, Jesus proclaims “the year of the Lord’s favor.” He did not come to condemn but to redeem.

You who have faced challenges this year Jesus is saying: I am not coming to condemn you but to redeem you. He is proclaiming 2025 as the year of the Lord’s favor, and you will finish well. Declare it over yourself: This is the year of the Lord’s favor. Speak it until it becomes reality. In our walk of faith, if you do not declare it, it will not happen. See the Lord in both your struggles and your triumphs. Declare: This is the year of the Lord’s favor. When you do, you will finish well, and glory and honor will return to God.

A Story of Finishing Well: Mark Whitacre

Mark Whitacre, an American business executive, was born in 1957 in Ohio. At age 22, he married his high school sweetheart Ginger, a devout born-again Christian since her teenage years. Mark later reflected: “If someone had asked me in 1992 if I was a Christian, I would have said yes I go to church almost every Sunday.”

• At age 26, he earned a PhD in nutritional biochemistry from Cornell University.
• At age 32, he became president of the Bioproducts Division of ADM.
• He lived a life of luxury—mansions, private jets, expensive schools, exotic vacations.
• But corporate greed led him to commit felonies: price-fixing and embezzling $9.5 million.
• He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In his first year of prison, Mark accepted Jesus and was truly born again. After prison, he became COO of Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC), a faith-based nonprofit supporting business professionals. Through his testimony, hundreds have come to Christ.

“Today, he remains married 46 years later. His story began well, though he stumbled in the middle, yet through Christ he is on track to finish well

Closing Declaration

This year, 2025, is the year of the Lord’s favor. No matter the trials, no matter the struggles, we will finish well.