“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jerimiah 29:11(NIV)
Beloved, indeed God plans to prosper us but in order for us to be successful, we have to be processed – to be made ready to receive, maintain and increase what He has in store for us. Like clay in the potter’s hands, we have to go through the refiner’s fire to remove the impurities in us so that the treasure in our earthen vessels can come forth, transforming our potential into power for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. During this process, we have to contend with the problem of an old adversary, the devil, who comes to steal, kill and destroy God’s promises for our lives – John 10:10 (NIV).
In the process, there is allowed persecution which comes in the form of trials, tribulations, temptations, and various hardships. In this process, we will persevere in prayers and supplications to God and wage spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. Our God will destroy the walls of stagnation, generational curses of sicknesses and diseases, poverty, and failures that seek to hinder, prevent, frustrate and ultimately deny us from receiving our breakthrough. However, let us draw comfort from God’s Word in Isaiah 49:16 which says, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palm of My hands; thy walls are continually before me” – (KJV).
Conversely, in the book, “Overcoming Crisis, The Secrets to Thriving in Challenging Times”, Dr Myles Munroe stated, “Living on earth requires that we must expect the unexpected and prepare for the unforeseen. It is the nature of life. But many of us do not possess the necessary mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual tools to successfully and effectively weather these seasons of turmoil”. Thus, going through the process that leads to God’s promised prosperity takes faith, and faith without works is dead – James 2:26.
As we navigate new beginnings let’s be reminded of God’s Word in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.You can be prosperous too, once you navigate the problem and allow God to take you through the process.
Pray
Heavenly Father, as we submit our earthen vessels into Your hands, we pray that our deeds become the outer reflection of this inner transformation. Let there be evidence of a heart that has been and is continually being transformed and renewed by God. As disciples of Christ, help us to be obedient, submissive and committed to Your way of doing things that will naturally bear good fruit in our lives, allowing others to see and emulate, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Read: John 10:10; James 2:26
Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 109:1-20; Galatians 5:7-26; Isaiah 47; Isaiah 48; Isaiah 49:1-7
