GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR YOU?
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Today’s Reading:
Acts 26:1-18
“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things you have seen…and yet to reveal to you”. (v16). Have you ever wondered or thought deeply on why you are or have found yourself on this earth? It will be amazing to find out that God, the creator of all things, is a perfect and purposeful God. Nothing in his universe happens by chance or mistake. The scripture supports this assertion and truth extensively.
Firstly, Prophet Isaiah in Is.64 v 8 confirms that we humans are the clay and our Father God is our potter, and we are the works of his hand. The Psalmist, David, records in Ps. 139:14 that he (and we) are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that his works are marvellous. He further said in v16 that God’s eyes had seen his/our substance when yet unformed, and that in his book, He had written the days allotted/fashioned for him/us before they even existed. Interestingly enough, God has gone further to confirm through the prophet Isaiah in Is. 46 v 4 that even to old age, He is ours, and even to grey hairs, He would carry us, since He has made and He will bear us. Apart from the foregoing, it is imperative to highlight that God has created all things, including human beings, each for a purpose. Part of God’s character is that He is not wasteful and He is perfect in all his ways and doings. No wonder, wise King Solomon recorded in Ecc. 3 v 1 that there is a season for everything and a time for every purpose under heaven.
The question now is, what is “purpose”? It means the reason for which ‘something’ is done, created or for which ‘something’ exists; an intention or objective. This ‘something’ is expected to have an intended or desired result or end or good. Isaiah in Is. 43 v. 7, 21 affirmed that everyone called by the name of God was created by him for his “glory”, that is, to glorify him. Also, the people He formed for himself are to declare praise to him. Ps. 29 v 2 instructs us to give unto God the glory due to his name. So, God’s general “purpose” of creating man is to give him glory and praise. Furthermore, as believers, we are to heed Apostle Paul’s writing in Eph. 2 v 10, that we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Jesus fulfilled a specific purpose on earth. There is evidence in scripture that, apart from the general purpose of God for man, there are also personal (individual) purposes for different people. In our Today’s reading in v 16, God spoke to Saul (not yet converted to Paul), that his purpose of appearing to him was to make him a “minister” and a “witness” of things he had seen and others yet to be revealed. This was further explicated in v 18, which was intended for the Gentiles’ eyes to be opened, turned from darkness to light, from Satan to God. They would receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance with the saints.
Another example of one who received specific purposes directly from God was Jeremiah. In Jer. 1 v 5, God spoke directly to Jeremiah that He had formed him, knew him and sanctified him before he was born, and ordained him a prophet to the nations. Prophet Ezekiel was also given a specific purpose by God when in Ez. 2 v 17, God made him a watchman for the house of Israel. All the prophets (major and minor) whose activities were recorded in the scripture had specific purposes given by God to fulfil. Also, many individuals had and fulfilled specific purposes recorded in the scripture, including: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Paul, and the other Apostles. The method by which God gives the purposes differs. However, the common factor is that they all fulfilled the purpose, particularly because God backed them up to the end. Many of them suffered a great deal, but ultimately fulfilled the purposes (Prov. 19:21). You are probably asking yourself, Does God have a purpose for you? If God is your “Father”, having been reconciled to him through Jesus Christ, then you can ask him in prayer. He will be willing to point it out to you, and you have the assurance of his support for fulfilment (Is 46 v 4). Above all, key into Rom. 8:28, because all things will work for your good, as you are called according to his purpose.
If you are not God’s child, that is, a believer, you are not likely to easily find your purpose from him. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour genuinely, and you become his child and a saint.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer out loud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome into the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for being a perfect and purposeful God.
Lord, we appreciate your sacrifice of redemption of mankind.
Precious Lord, thank you for making a way for mankind to be reconciled back to the Father, so that our purposes on earth can be received and fulfilled.
Father, please help the church to wake up to its purposes on earth so they can be fulfilled.
Father, please open the eyes of the nation’s leaders to the purposes assigned to our nation, so that they will be fulfilled.
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