By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
GEMS FOR MEDITATION AND PRAYER
THEME FOR THE WEEK: LIFE SKETCHES: HEROES AND HEROINES OF THE KINGDOM
SUNDAY
THEME: GOD’S PURPOSE REMAINS INTACT
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
REFLECTIONS
Walking with God to reach your final destination in life has never been shown to be a straight path – never intended to be smooth sailing. Yet, life has a purpose and meaning that one should strive to achieve. Life cannot be aimless. At least, we rejoice that we are not aimless beings put on planet Earth to suffer and die, and that is the end, No! What is clear is that the path may be undulating, the alleys too narrow, and the topography uneven – yet beyond them is the glorious destination of life. But unless the final destination is known and in sight, it can be discouraging sometimes to walk the path God leads.
God’s purpose and destination for our journey here are clearly in place – it is fixed and cannot be changed. But before reaching the ultimate, some learning must take place. Nobody will tell you that learning is all that easy. Often, we learn the hard way to grasp the full import of the lessons taught. Understand that a terrible mess has already been caused in this life that has triggered all the discomfort and human suffering we experience daily. What remains is for a loving, powerful, compassionate, well-meaning, and self-sacrificing God to rescue us. Though all the provisions for our total emancipation have been made through Jesus Christ, our honest and faithful cooperation with God is required to make them effective.
Beloved, redemption is not cheap. A rescue operation is not without someone risking his life for another. Therefore, if we are invited to receive redemption, it is a great privilege granted to us based on Christ’s self-abnegation. Grace is the vehicle for transporting us from sin to righteousness – from earth to heaven. Ephesians 2:8 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” In the context of God’s divine purpose for our lives, the prophet writes in Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” David prayed in Psalms 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Cleansing the dirt and dross from us is a painful experience, but the Lord will do it for our good. Every step He takes on our behalf toughens us to overcome the enemy and sin. God promises in Isaiah 1:19, “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;”
God keeps His purpose in focus and in sight. As part of His training for His people, God caused Judah to go into exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:4). God said in verse 10, “. . . For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.” He will deliver and restore them in line with His established purpose for their lives. All that He has allowed is not intended to destroy or discourage them, but it is part of His overall purpose – so He declares: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” The Message Bible reads, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Beloved, all you are going through has one purpose – walk with God to attain His purpose and future for your life. Your name is in His books.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 537 – “He Leadeth Me”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for a new week; thank God for His grace during the past week; pray to walk closely with Christ to attain His purpose for your life;
– Pray for your family and members of your church to walk with God’s purpose in mind; pray for your neighbors and those you are seeking God’s grace to save;
– Pray for singles in your circle of influence who are preparing for marriage; pray for young couples; pray for couples currently separated, those seeking divorce, and the divorced;
– Pray for God to be the center of our thoughts and actions as a nation; pray for peace, patience, and unity for our nation; pray for the gospel to reach unentered areas of the country.
