The plan of God for us in 2015, By Pastor Samuel OBAFAIYE

The plan of God for us in 2015, By Pastor Samuel OBAFAIYE

God is purposeful. He works to plan. The creation of the world tells us that God has a set up plan for everything He does. He made the elements first; then the plants and then the

animals before the man. He is an orderliness God.

In life, it is possible to meet people who have good plans for you. Some are able to execute the plan. Some however are not able to do it eventually. Either that they later lacked the tangible power; or possibly developed cold feet; or are instigated not to do so again.

God is however not like that. He is not a man that He will lie. He is not the son of man that He should repent. Whatever He says, He will do (Num 23:19).

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

This was the word of God through Prophet Jeremiah to the children of Israel in exile in Babylon. It was a difficult time for the people. Different prophets were coming to tell them either to resist the governance of Babylon; to riot and go back home; or just do nothing.

God however ask Jeremiah to tell the people that He has not sent those prophets. He said the people should be calm, be settled, be productive, and when 70 years are passed, He will take them back to Canaan.

God said that He alone know the thoughts He has towards them and not any of those prophets. He said the thoughts are of peace; not of evil and to bring the people to an expected end. Whatever God does, He has first thought of it.

When people give us gifts, we usually say thanks to them. When I say so, I usually thank them for at least two reasons: for their act of kindness and their thoughtfulness. Even if it’s a small gift, I do realise that a thought process went ahead to generate the act. So I have to be very appreciative of that thought.

It was so comforting to read that God says ‘the thought I think towards you’ and not ‘the thought I have thought towards you’. This implies that God still holds and cherish that thought still. He has not forgotten them, even in captivity.

God does not only think of us; He thinks towards us. When He does that, He considers everything surrounding our case. Things before and after have already been considered. He does not just see us in isolation of those things. So if you are thinking, does God knows about your circumstance, yes He does.

The children of Israel were been mocked by their captors at this time. They were been asked to sing Zion songs in Babylon. But God told them to relax, that their expected end shall come. Your expected end for 2015 shall come.

No matter how bleak things might seem. God knows what He is doing. He can’t be taken unawares. There are no unguarded moments with Him. God knew our first parents in the Garden of Eden would disobey. He knew what they have done when they were hiding. It was just a drama.

When Jesus Christ was here in the flesh, His thoughts captures all moments.

When Lazarus was sick and died, He knew.

When the multitudes were hungry and was asking Philip what they have, He knew.

When he sat at the last supper, He knew who was to betray Him.

When Judas was closed by with the Jews, He knew.

God says my plan for you as a church is summarised in Jeremiah 29:11. He will look after our welfare. He will not let any calamity to befall us. He guarantees our future and He will keep our hopes alive.

Welfare – It’s defined as the health, happiness and fortunes of a person or group. Other areas covered are wellbeing, comfort, security, safety, protection, prosperity, success, etc.

God certainly look after His own. Elijah and Elisha are good examples.

Psalm 37:25 is a scripture that started to make a lot of meaning to me as I grew up as a child.

Psalms 37:25

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

In 1978 my father retired from public service and collected his gratuity. After a bit of home improvement, he was planning to open a garage to start repairing vehicles, when the African Overseer of his ministry asked if he was then ready to work for God full time! After considering what to do because of our family needs, he later surrendered to go full time in ministry. Not too long afterwards, his father-in-law died, his savings were to go on the funeral. And because there were four people on church payroll already, they could not afford to pay him anything. That became the beginning of financial trials in our home. God was however faithful, at any time when my father’s monthly pension was to finish quicker, God will use someone to bless him with money, usually anonymously.

In 2015, God has organised a welfare package for you: your health is covered; happiness, fortunes, comfort, safety, protection, security, prosperity, success, etc. are all covered.

Not of calamity – calamity is defined as an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster, tragedy, catastrophe, evil, woe, etc.

God shields His own from calamities. The ten plaques in Egypt was a dry good example. While the Egyptians were going through terrible times, the Israelites were enjoying Divine cover.

Psalm 91 is a special passage for protection. It is the will of God for us in 2015.

Many times God has protected me from different calamities. As The Lord lives, damage will not be your portion. Distress, disaster, tragedy, catastrophe, evil, woes will not be your lot in 2015.

Future – one of the greatest concerns of man is future. The period after now, time to come or time ahead always brings anxiety.

What will happen, what to become, what to expect are some of the things that generate concerns for us. But God is telling us not to be anxious of this year. Take no serious thought, because He has thought it for you and knows that it holds goodness.

Most of the time, we judge the future by how today appears. But with God, it is not so. On the Sea of Galilee, the disciple did not see any future for them, but Christ knew the end has not come. Your future is secure in God’s hands. It is not over yet. The ‘drama’ has not finish.

Hope – is a desire for a particular thing to happen. It is aspiration, dream and longing for a positive occurrence. That what one wanted can be or that events will turn out for the best.

Hope is a powerful tool that keeps us going in life. When all is lost in life, nothing is lost when there is hope, but when hope is lost, all is lost!

God always help to keep the hope of His people alive. Elijah almost lost hope when Jezebel sent message that he will die in 24 hours. But God kept his hope alive.

It was the hope of Job in God that brought about his restoration.

In 2015, God says your hope will not be dashed. You will not be disappointed. You will not be dismayed. I will brighten your countenance.

Prayers

Father, let Your thought for my life be vivid to mankind.

Father, in this year, showcase me for your glory, power and honour.

A message delivered by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye on the January 2015 Thanksgiving service on 4th January 2015