The Grand Plan of God, by Minister Victor Olajubu
Text: Romans 1:20 – NIV
It is not in the NATURE OF GOD to give full disclosure or provide details of the experiences that would lead us to HIS ultimate plan for our lives. Majority of the time HE assures us of a victorious outcome and not necessarily how HE intends to piece together the jig saw. Someday everything will make for perfect sense. So, for now, laugh at confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that for a child of GOD, everything happened for a reason:
1). JOSEPH – Genesis 37 to chapter 45
Joseph was thrown into an empty pit by his brothers in order to abort the plan that GOD has for his life. The condition of Joseph in the well at the time was direct contrast to the picture of the man he painted in his dreams where he shone as a star and his siblings and parents all bowed down to him. Our assessment of his situation in the well would conclude it was a setback and a huge step in the wrong direction.
If Joseph was not lowered into the pit, he was not going to be sold as a slave. He was not going to end up in prison if he was not in Potiphar’s house. If Joseph was not in Potiphar’s house, Pharaoh was not going to have a dream. It was the interpretation of that dream that landed him the dream job in Egypt. No matter how ugly things appear to be in our lives, GOD can turn things around in a moment. Let us keep ‘digging’ and not give up for GOD is with us.
2). SAUL & the missing donkeys – 1 Samuel 9
The Lord had told Samuel in his ear twenty four hour prior to the arrival of Saul that HE was going to send a man about this time tomorrow. In order for this prophesy to be fulfilled, GOD arranged for the donkeys to be missing so the paths of Saul and Samuel would cross. In order to account for the 24hr lapse and the distance GOD ensured Saul went through the disappointments of having to go through four different targeted locations namely Ephraim, Shalisha, Shalim, and the land of the Benjamites.
If Saul had gone to Zuph after leaving Ephraim, Shalisha, or Shalim to meet Samuel, he would have arrived too early before the 24hr appointment set for him to meet Samuel. Also, Saul would have arrived later than the 24hrs deadline and missed out on Samuel if he has been to another location after the land of the Benjamites looking for the donkeys. The point is “GOD patterns our life to follow specific timelines designed by HIM alone to suit HIS purpose”.
3). ABRAHAM – Wife for Isaac – Genesis 24: 5-8
Abraham responded. “Be careful never to take my son there. 7 For the Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants.[a] He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.
There should be that part to our lives that cannot be explained by human logic. GOD can use HIS invisible nature to send HIS angels ahead of us in life. HE is the creator of the heaven and earth, both visible and invisible – we can tap into HIS grace for help.
4). Genesis 31 – Jacob & Laban
God provided us an insight into the success of Jacob affirming it was the sole responsibility of GOD. The divine nature of GOD was responsible for the multiplication of the herd and not the human efforts put in place by Jacob. GOD can look after our destiny, career, future, businesses, even when we are sleeping!
Conclusion – Let us never forget that God is always watching out for us as HIS children. He answers our prayers and works in our lives everyday. I believe Paul summarizes this preaching best in, Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Message delivered on September 21, 2014
