God's Purposes

Are you someone who is feeling insignificant in life? Someone whom the world does not look up high? Are you someone feeling that right now life has nothing to offer and your faith in the Lord does not seem to bring a great breakthrough?

Do not let your heart be troubled, you are not the only one sailing in the same boat. When Joseph was in the prison, he interprets the dream of the cup bearer and as a favor he asks the cup bearer to remember him before the King (Gen 40:14). However, the cup bearer forgets the petition of Joseph (Gen 40:23). All that Joseph expected was a release from his current condition. Probably he thought of going out and leading a decent life. But the plan of God was even greater than that of Joseph. Joseph's expectation to find favor with the cup bearer and then a release from the King did not happen. Joseph continued to be in the prison for 2 yrs. But at the appropriate time, when the King had a dream and was seeking wise men to interpret his dream, the cup bearer remembered about Joseph. And all these finally led to Joseph becoming the governor of Egypt.

The plan and the purpose of God is not revealed to His children. And that calls for a walk of faith. But the end result is this...That God chooses the simple people of the world to make Himself a great name through their life...

The Word of God says,

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (New Living Translation)

27.Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

Whatever you may be or your life may be currently, God has chosen you for a purpose. And His purpose and plan for you is for a tremendous demonstration of His power and glory in your life.

It is His faithfulness...

It is not possible to be high in faith all the time. There are times when our faith can stagger by some negative outcomes or situations in life. During those times we react in different ways - anger, frustration, pity, hopeless, doubt, disappointment or even quitting atttitude.

We may at times react to God in unbelief. Though we may lack faith, God always proves Himself to be faithful...

Romans 3:3 (New American Standard Bible)

What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?

God's character never changes. He always prove Himself to be faithful to those who trust Him. Even if our situation might be hopeless, we will see that God in His faithfulness will pull us out of our negative situation and do wonders beyond our imagination...

Ever-present help

Psalm 118:5 (New American Standard Bible)

From my distress I called upon the LORD;

The LORD answered me and set me in a large place.

What a privilege it is for us as a child of God, when in distress or some kind of anguish of the soul, we have a heavenly father to deliver us out of it. The Lord not only answers our prayers but sets us in a large place; meaning we are not only delivered out of the problem, but also set free totally...

Sometimes we don't really realize that there many people in the world who do not have help when distressed or anguished. But we have a living God, a prayer answering God who always work for the well-being of His children. Indeed we are a privileged people. Knowing this truth deeply from within, let us...

Psalm 118:29 (New American Standard Bible)

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Clinging to Him always

Psalm 63:8 (New International Version)

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

When have we prayed like the way the psalmist did? When do we really cling to God? When we have a urgent need to be met? Or when we desperately looking for a prayer to be answered?

If we cling to God only during such times, then we are selfish people who love the hand of God than seeking God for Himself...

Whether in need or out of need, whether in happiness or in worry, let us learn to cling to God always like that of a weaning child. Like a child who always clings to its mother with a deep sense of security and affection. For in Him we will find our soul secure and satisfied.

The Father's choice

At times when there is a delay in our provisions or any breakthroughs we expect, we assume that we are missing some real good opportunities. Or we may assume that God is being slow during our urgent needs.

But for us to shape our perspective better, we need to understand our God well. Look what the Word of god says with respect to God's nature...

Matthew 7:7-11 (New International Version)

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

We need to know our heavenly Father better, if we are to change the way we see things or think right. When we as human beings don't afford to comprise to give less than the best to our children, how much more the heavenly Father would give good things to His children...

So next time when there is a delay in what we seek or ask, just keep in mind that God will not settle unless He gives us the best.

Destiny of God's People

Do you feel less significant because you are not an achiever like that in the world? Or perhaps you are not doing something that makes you feel important or giving you a sense of pride? Just think and see how Moses would have felt tending Jethro's sheep? He left Egypt not wanting to be counted as one of the Pharaoh's son...He identified himself as one among the Hebrew and his own people did not accept him (Heb 11:24-25).He ran away from them, married Jethro's daughter and the job he was doing...it all seemed like an there was no destiny. Yet his destiny was something God had already prepared for him. God chose him to be a channel of deliverance for the people of Israel...

What you may be doing may all seem like there is no big destiny. But God already has a destiny for you which is definitely significant. Though people in the world not see it big, it is in His eyes and one day the world will see that...

This is the destiny of those who diligently follow the Lord:

Isaiah 61:4-6 (New International Version)

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins

and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities

that have been devastated for generations.

5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks;

foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,

you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of nations,

and in their riches you will boast.

The Lord's leading

Are you a tired traveler in your spiritual journey? Tired of waiting on God's promises or breakthroughs? Do not become frail, the Lord has predestined this walk in the desert so that you might become a well watered garden and a never failing fountain...

The Word of God says,

Isaiah 58:11 (New International Version)

The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Remember how a gardener works his garden. His digs the soil in the garden to make it moist with rich soil and water. Later he sows the seeds and waters it for days, until the small sprouts of plants appear. Then it is sheltered from excess sun and sometimes the gardener sprays pesticides. All this process is required for the plant to grow well and yield its fruits and flowers.

Well, it is the same with us friends, sometimes the Lord leads us long in desert paths for our good where we learn to sojourn and depend on Him for provisions and breakthroughs. The Lord is not a tough task master but a gentle Father. We need to realize this, if we are to appreciate His dealings in our life.

We should not complain and grumble but let the Lord lead and guide us at the same time mold and make us...It is for our good...