Word for Today July 22,
2009
Be Persistent!
Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:8; 1
Peter 1:13
We must be persisted in
our pursuit of God and the destiny assignment He has ordained for us. As God
told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5 when
He called him, “Behold I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were
born I sanctified you a prophet to the nations,” (NKJV) he is telling us
the same thing. God called us and ordained us before we were born; He knew us
in our mother’s womb. God said He knows the plans that He has for us: “‘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.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 – NIV).
God’s plans for your life are no secret; He wants you to know them. But in
order for you to know His plans for your life, you must be persistent in
seeking after Him (Jeremiah 29:12-13;
Deuteronomy 4:29); praying, fasting, and studying the Bible.
God loves you and all you
have to do is stay connected to Him and He will help you fulfill the destiny He
has for you. God promises that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrew 13:5). If we draw nigh unto God
He will draw nigh unto us (James 4:8).
Bottom line
Why be persistent in
pursuing God and our destiny assignment:
We should be persistent in
pursuing God and our destiny assignment because the devil is walking around
like a roaring lion, trying to devour us (1 Peter 5:8): “Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour.” (NKJV). The devil does not want you to fulfill
your destiny; he is jealous and mad at you for naming the Name of God.
Remember, he hates God and
everyone who is connected to God. So, he will come and try to stop you in any
way he can; using anyone and anything to try to defeat you. But great news!
“The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him
shall be condemned.” (Psalm 34:22).
How to be persistent in
pursuing God and our destiny assignment:
We are going to be
persistent in pursuing God and our destiny assignment by girding up the loins
of our mind, being sober, and resting our hope fully in the grace that is
brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13): “Therefore
gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the
grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (NKJV).
Here again, Peter is telling us to be sober (clear-headed; thoughtful; have
self-control); we cannot do this on our own. That is where seeking the face of
God comes in. I guarantee, if you seek God with all your heart, you will find
Him.
Let’s seek Him today!
In Christ,
Dr. Hooks
References:
The
Nelson Study Bible
New
King James Version (NKJV)
Thomas
Nelson 1997
Women’s
Devotional Bible
New
International Version (NIV)
Zondervan
Publishers 1990
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