Today's mobile devices have what they call "geolocation" functionalities which pinpoint exactly where we are and help us to go from place to place. Do you know that God also has the right place for you?
That was our topic in our small group last night. There are several reasons why God's place for us is the best place to be:
Reason #1. God's place has God's PEACE.
"And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever."
Isaiah 32:17 (NASB)
Reason #2. God's place has God's PROVISION.My pastor once said the place of obedience is the place of our blessing.
In the desert, God rained down manna from heaven for the Israelites (Exodus 16:11-30). The first instruction God gave them was to gather the manna only in the morning and not keep it for the next day or else it will rot. And it did. The Israelites had to gather their food by the day. This shows that God was teaching them to trust Him for their daily provision.
The second instruction was to not gather on a Sabbath which was for them a day of rest because God rested on the seventh day when He created the world and man. This time even if they kept the manna till the next day, it won't rot. Only do not gather on a Sabbath. The Israelites tried to gather on the Sabbath and there was none to be found. This time God was teaching the Israelites that it was not by their toil that they were getting their provision but by His hand who provides for them what they need.
When the time came to go to the Promised Land, God stopped the manna and the Israelites ate from the fruit of the land (Joshua 5:11-12).
Whether God calls us to a desert or a land flowing with all kinds of abundant provision, God will provide for our needs.
Reason #3. God's place has God's POWER.
Author Chuck Swindoll noted in his biography of Moses that in Exodus 4:20 God literally called the staff that Moses had in verse 2-5 (Exodus Chapter 4) the STAFF of GOD. In other words, it was transformed from being just a staff to THE STAFF OF GOD, which Moses was going to use to perform signs and wonders for the Egyptians.
Paraphrasing Swindoll, it means that whatever we give to God's hands - our place of work, ministry, residence, worship - becomes his platform to work wonders. It's not anymore just you. It is you and God.
It can be as simple as your hands being God's hands in the workplace, your voice being His voice, your decisions becoming His decisions, and your house becoming His house to accomplish many things.
Being in God's place can work wonders in our lives.
Reason #4. God's place has God's PROMPTING (for lack of a P word that is a synonym for Encouragement)
Exodus 4:10-12. God urged and encouraged Moses even in his insecurities and fears to do what he was being asked to do - speak to Pharaoh and deliver his people.
God will use people in your life to encourage you in what you are to do. You may feel like just an ordinary or a small-time person but God will use people in your life to encourage you in the right direction.
It could also somehow be the other way around. What God is asking of you may be so radical that only you and God know the way to it and so there may not be a lot of encouragement from others, but if it's the right place for you to do what you are called to do, God will give you a strong prompting and His encouraging words will guide you.
Reason #5. God's place has God's PRESENCE.
"Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."
Exodus 33:15
God is everywhere. He is there whether we are in His will or whether we are not. The difference between the Omnipresence of God and His Presence that goes with us is that God becomes more personal in His presence when we are following His will (thanks to my dear friend Elaine for this revelation). He becomes a second Person who is with you at all times in the place that He has called you to be in.
In church or outside of church, God's presence is with you.
Matthew 28:19-20:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
It is very important that we live in the right nation that God desires for us. For there, God's Presence will be our rear guard.
Reason #6. God's place has God's PROTECTION.
Exodus 4:19-20. Matthew 2:13-23. God knew just the right time when Egypt will be safe for Moses to go back to. He also knew where to lead Joseph (to Bethlehem and then to Egypt) so that the child Jesus would be born and grow up to be 30 to do his earthly ministry.
Reason #7. God's place has God's PEOPLE (or more specifically God's rule/authority)
In the place of God is where he appoints bosses, leaders, government authorities and others who will administer His will into your life and whom He wants to be an influence for you for your own good.
Where God has placed you is where God has put His rule into the people who are leading you. It can be your boss, your co-workers, colleagues, government leaders, church leaders, all the leaders that God has placed in your life to prepare you, bless you, mold your character and aid in your growth/development.
You will not lack any leadership because God will bring people into your life to help you and guide where you need to be.
They will speak encouragement into your life and walk with you in your journey.
I had such a great time sharing. But that's all we can write for now.
The topic "God's Will of Place" is so rich that we had to cut our discussion for a part II. So stay tuned as well for part II of this post. :-) Would love to share it again with you.
Have a wonderful evening or morning. Be blessed and have an awesome weekend!
Note:
A big credit to various people who contributed ideas to this blog and more during my walk. Without you and God, won't have a lot to share. THANK YOU!
Source:
Swindoll, Chuck, MOSES: A Man of Selfless Dedication, (Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 1999)
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