“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” – Prov 19:21 (NIV).
Have you ever had a matter you felt so strong about that no matter all the warnings forbidding, you were all bent to push ahead. Yes, even when God made it clear you should hold on, but still you decided to just go ahead. You were in a bit of a hurry. But then what happened!
There is the story of the final missionary journey of Apostle Paul. Arrested and now taken to Rome to stand trial before Ceaser, Paul had a premonition from God concerning the journey. He decided to warn the centurion under whose guard he was and the ship owner of the danger ahead, advising them not to sail. “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also” (Acts 27:10).
But the centurion and the ship owner, together with the ship captain, who possibly were more conscious of beating a deadline and suffering as little loss as possible caused by delays, which might affect their earnings, ignored a good warning from God. They pressed ahead.
Now no sooner had they sailed than the ship run into a huge storm. “Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm..” (vv 14-15) Later the ship did run aground (vv 41). Fortunately all would be spared of total destruction. But once there was calm, “Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss” (vv 21).
The truth of this is that sometimes it is best to wait on God. There are those matters which everyone faces once in a while and one feels he must go ahead no matter all the warning signs from God. It could be moving to a new address. Perhaps it is launching a new venture. In some cases it is setting out on a new journey of life. And God is saying wait.
Rather than pushing ahead, against all advice, why not wait on God. Ignoring warning and going ahead might come at a great cost. Rather, it is good to remember "…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:33, ESV).
Prayer for today: Lord father God, in all my affairs, may I learn to wait on you, for when I go with you, I know victory will comes, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
Related upcoming events
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20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
