HE HAS GOOD THOUGHTS. Click and read.

 

 For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

This is one verse that almost everyone is familiar with and we quote endlessly. When you begin reading from the first verse you will have a better understanding of the story line. The children of Israel and some elders of the land of Israel were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon. 

The Lord was fully aware of their predicament. He even asked them to the build houses, marry and do everything possible to survive in the land of their sojourn. However he warned the Israelites not to allow their selves to be deceived in the same land of their sojourn. Is that no what applies to us as God’s children? As much as we find ourselves in the system we are not expected to compromise God’s standard no matter where we find ourselves.

Notice that the Lord did not intervene and stop the captivity immediately. We must understand that God has not and will not change His standard to suit us. He is still the God that chastises them that He loves. When we go through hard or challenging situation it is what allows our strength to be formed from within and also allow us prove the potency of our trust in God. 

God declares that He knows the thoughts He thinks towards us. The Lord wants each of His children to express their maximum potential and that is manifested with time through experience. And how will you prove your inert potential if you never have time for expression?

The Lord himself declared this verse to His children because He heard them complain and saw that his children thought He was insensitive to their plight. “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” The Lord is fully aware of where you are. He has said that He will never leave us nor forsake us. His thoughts towards us are thoughts of good and peace. He does not abandon anyone half way. He expects us to go all the way because there is always light at the end of every tunnel.

 I do not know what challenge you that read may be going through but I use this medium to encourage you to hang in there. Hold on to the trust you have in God. Your expected end is victory all on sides. The light of his countenance will surely shine upon you.

As I go through this journey of life, my hope is anchored on the Lord. Time and time again the Lord has always proved faithful to me. Be encouraged and also encourage yourself. God has said He wishes above all things that we prosper and be in good health even as our soul prospers. As you embark on your projects and on your quest to achieve greatness rest assured that the expected end you desire will eventually manifest in Jesus name.

HE IS NEAR. Click and read.

 

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is my mine adversary? Let him come near to me. (Isaiah 50: 4, 7-8)

Have you ever been around anyone who verbally misfires around you? You feel the ground should open up and you take a quick dive. Or have ever found yourself in a gathering where all around are gathered to condole with the loss of someone dear and in the midst of it all, one person cracks an unnecessary joke? I can just imagine the look on people’s faces. Our walk with God does not just bring us grace and mercy but extends to every area of our lives – physically, spiritually, socially, financially and the likes. This growth experience happens with time as we walk with the Lord and follow His lead. He has said that He wishes above all things that we should prosper; and be in good health even as our soul prospers.

Like the writer declares, “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” It is the Lord’s desire that our tongue can be learned to point of mastering the art of speaking to any category of persons we come across even the weary. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”(Proverbs 25:11).We are human are prone to make mistakes. The art of speaking right does not come overnight but with constant practice. I pray that we will continually yield to the Holy Spirit to work in us daily in Jesus name.

“For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know I shall not be ashamed.” Have you watched little children brag? That is what the first part of this verse is allowing you to experience. Pause a while and say it to yourself. “The Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: “I say a big Amen to that declaration in my life. I will not be confounded. You will not be confounded. It is always important to assure yourself of who is backing you up as you go through life. His credentials speak loudly. He is the Maker of heaven and earth; He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. He founded the earth on His word. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent. He is Faithful and True. Awesome! Need I say more?

“He is near that justifieth; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is my mine adversary? Let him come near to me.” God is our justifier. He stands by us with good reason for what we have done. Who will contend with you when God himself is standing near you? Who is the adversary? God is right there to justify from any wicked accusations. Get excited already and pray a prayer of thanksgiving.

HE CANNOT FORGET YOU. Click and read.

 

 

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palm of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:15-16)

This God is simply awesome. He is so patient with us even when we express unbelief or doubt at certain points in our lives. When you read from the beginning of the chapter, you will discover the line of conversation that had ensued. You will gradually come to understand what led to the question by the Lord. Over the years the Lord had manifested His love among the children of Israel. He clearly extends His love to the Gentiles. From verse one, the Lord had already shown that He had called us from the womb. He goes on to say in verse 2 of the chapter that He had made the mouth like a sharp sword, He has hid us with the shadow of His hands. In His quiver has the Lord hid us. A quiver is the sack that contains arrows.

In verses 10 – 11 the Lords says,” they shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.” These are already amazing promises but notice the expression of doubt from His children in verse 14. “But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Let me ask you, how possible is that? That our God who has outlined the promises He has in mind for us will suddenly forget us.

In response to Zion’s doubt, The Lord then asked His question and made His declaration. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” I say a big thank you to the Lord for this assurance. He says that even if a mother forgets her own child who is still breastfeeding, the Lord does not have the capacity to forget to take care of His own. The only time our God forgets is when He forgives our sins and throws it into the sea of forgetfulness. Hallelujah!

The next verse is truly exciting “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palm of my hands”. Did you see that? I am engraved in the palm of God’s hands. The hand is what we all use to work. Every time you use your hands, you look at your palms. Something that is engraved is permanent and cannot be erased. The Lord is saying that we are like a permanent tattoo on His palm. We are permanently In God’s agenda. The fact that water, soap or any other material pour on the hand doesn’t mean that the markings on your palm can ever be erased.

“Thy walls are continually before me”. Your wall represents your protection. God is in charge of our safety. That is why He declares that He shall preserve our going out and our coming in. He says evil shall not come near our dwelling. He said blessed shall you be in the field and also in the city.

Celebrate our God.