God’s plan for your future – Part 1

Many believers are ignorant of God’s plan for their future, the purpose of God for their lives, families, and church.

In this, they act like many of the children of Israel, as they journeyed from Egypt to the Land of Promise. Yet, as God reveals through their pilgrimage that He has a destination in mind for us, so, He has great plans for you ahead. “And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” He is bringing you out this year and taking you into the New Year with great plans and precious promises.

Not realising this, many people feel contented like the Israelites, who continued with the unending celebration of spectacular miracles of crossing the Red Sea, eating manna, provision of water from the rock, and meat from heaven, which they had experienced. As with the Israelites, these are all pointers to greater things God has provided for your future, including in the coming year.

As believers, miracles are not the ultimate purpose and plan of God for our salvation. “He brought us out’ of sin and the world that “he might bring us (into)” His heavenly Kingdom. And between Egypt and Canaan, the commencement of our pilgrimage to the final consummation, God has given us His Word to guide us. His Word is given to produce righteousness in us, so, we can get to the Promised Land. Coming out of Egypt, experiencing spectacular miracles and rendering sacrificial service will be of no purpose if we are unable to reach the final destination — heaven.

Some of our loved ones, who have passed on to glory in righteousness, have had God’s purpose fulfilled in their lives. They are now rejoicing in Heaven. Though bereaved, we need not sorrow over their departure but strive to overcome all obstacles by faith to reach the Promised Land. In spite of misfortune and bereavement, the Lord commands, “Arise, take thy journey …go in and possess the land…” Deuteronomy 10:11.

God promised to give the land of Canaan to the children of Israel and had the power to make them inherit it. But 10 of the 12 spies Moses sent to Canaan “… brought up an evil report of the land…” saying, “there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” This was a report of fear; a singular report that cancelled all the faith-building miracles the Israelites had earlier experienced.

Reports of fear in the land have the potential of eroding believers’ courage and faith and discouraging them from regular attendance at fellowships and faithfulness to the Lord. But God’s purpose to take believers to His eternal abode in Heaven is constant and no evil report can cancel it.

So, believers need not allow reports of fear, whether of prevailing economic, social, or probable political challenges now and in the coming year, to cancel their faith. They should at all times not lose sight but remember the great blessings they have received from the Lord.

Entry to the heavenly city remains the ultimate purpose of God for our lives that will give value to all the miracles we have enjoyed in the course of our pilgrimage on earth. God granted those miracles to strengthen our resolve to get to heaven in spite of obstacles that we might face.

The reports of fear generate evil desire and lead to the decision to return to bondage in believers who are not steadfast, who forget that God’s purpose is to take us to Heaven. But “the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people… neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid” (Isaiah 8:11,12).

Believers who obey and do not live by fear-inspiring reports will experience ‘signs’ and ‘wonders.’ Believers must not be frightened by evil reports, but abide in the Lord and His service till the end.

• Further reading (King James Version): Deuteronomy 6:23-25; 10:11; Numbers 10:29; Numbers 13:26-29,31-33; 14:1-4; Isaiah 8:11,12,18; 1 Samuel 22:23.