KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- 11 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Today's reading:
Psalm 100:1-5
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
Hosea 4:6
“Know and fully recognise with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His, and His possession]. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3 AMPV)
“What profit is there for the worker from that in which he labours? I have seen the task which God has given to the sons (and daughters) of men with which to occupy themselves. He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God] – yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live; and also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labour – it is the gift of God. I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor can anything be taken from it, for God does it so that men will fear and worship Him [with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is God].” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 AMPV)
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of My law, where I reveal My will]. Because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.” (Hosea 4:6).
From Psalm 100:3 above, and many other verses in the Scripture, we know that the Lord is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people, His possession, and the sheep of His pasture. Not only has God made us, but He is also our Shepherd; we are His possession. He has fixed the standard, He withholds and dispenses satisfaction, and He is the one who appoints time. Earthly pursuits are good in their proper place and season, but they become unprofitable when pursued as the chief goal of life, which was never God’s intention. Despite the beautiful plan of God for man listed earlier in Ecclesiastes 3:1, the writer still asks: What does the worker truly gain from all his labour? He observes pain and frustration in work without lasting progress as the burden is placed on humanity (vv. 9–10). Even more frustrating is the fact that everything appears beautiful in its appointed time (v. 11a), yet that time is limited. Human beings long for eternity, yet they seem unable to understand what God has done from the beginning to the end (v. 11c). Why? Because they are finite!
Every activity or event has its conclusion point, and is beautiful in the right moment, just as God saw creation to be good in Genesis 1:31. Even in a fallen world, activity should not be seen as meaningless. Its futility comes from the fickle satisfaction of man and his failure to trust the wisdom of the Sovereign God who has set eternity in the human heart. We should know—and fully recognise with gratitude—that we are God’s possession, created for a purpose: His eternal glory. Therefore, nothing in our post-Fall world can bring complete satisfaction.
In essence, we must understand that God has a plan for us here on earth. He provides cycles of life, each with its purpose and work for us to do. Yet in the course of life, we may face challenges that seem to contradict God’s plan. These should not be seen as hindrances to faith, but as opportunities to recognise that without God, life’s problems are insurmountable. Our satisfaction in the work we do, the relationships we have, or the places we find ourselves depends largely on our attitude and character. We cannot find satisfaction when we lose sight of why God placed us where we are. We can find joy and fulfilment only when:
We recognise and admit that God places us where we are, and has assigned work for us to do (v. 10).
We understand that the fruit of our labour is a gift from God (v. 13), and must be used for His purpose.
We view our work, wherever we are, as a means to serve God and fulfil His will.
God has set eternity in the heart of humanity. We must recognise that earthly pursuits and pleasures can never fully satisfy us because:
We are created in the image and likeness of God.
We have spiritual hunger and thirst.
We possess eternal values.
Only the eternal God can fully satisfy our souls.
God has placed within us a restless longing that fits only His perfect world system under His perfect rule. He has given us but a glimpse of His perfection—but it is only a glimpse. Because we cannot see the whole future or understand everything, our duty now is to trust Him and do His work on earth as He intended it to be done. Our worthy goals in life are to do good and to be joyful. But it is possible to pursue these goals in the wrong way. When we have the proper view of God, we discover that true pleasure is found in enjoying what we have as gifts from God, not in what we accumulate. We must not embrace the bleak belief that life follows a blind, irrational pattern, or that there is no meaning or purpose to existence. Even if one lives and dies before God’s programme for history reaches its fullness, it does not negate God's promise that He has made everything beautiful in its time (v. 11).
So, what is our purpose in life? It is to revere the Almighty God—to honour and stand in awe of Him because of who He is. Knowing our purpose begins with who we know, not what we know. Until we give God first place in our lives, we cannot fulfil His purpose for us. Weare to believe the truth of the Gospel, be baptised, and we shall be saved (Mark When we have the mind of Christ, our thoughts overflow with praise and thanksgiving. Complaining opens the door to the enemy. Complaints—whether in thought or speech—lead to weak and powerless living, and sometimes even physical illness. Thanksgiving brings life, strength, and joy. Some people erroneously believe that submitting to Christ makes one. As we begin another year, we have many reasons to be grateful for. God in His mercy has kept us alive and well. Resolve to hold tightly to Jesus Christ like never before. Ask the Holy Spirit to graft you into Christ as the Vine and seal you with His blood. Without Him, we can do nothing. Our labour is futile apart from God. Seek always to please Him, our Maker and Owner.
Do not believe the lies of the enemy that certain negative things in your life cannot change. He will tell you that you will never receive what you long for, or that you will not experience freedom or healing, or that success requires compromise. These are lies from the pit of hell. The devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy the benefits, salvation, glory, and honour God intends for your life. But the same God who did not withhold His only Son will surely meet your needs and heart desires in His time. Resolve this year to fix your gaze on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Endure hardship, persevere, and soon the difficult situations will give way to better things. Everything will begin to fall into place. In all things, give thanks. There is nothing you have that is not from God. And remember: there is a time for everything. The good things you are believing God for are on the way, and they will come, in Jesus’ name.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “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 to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
Lord, I would own Thy tender care, and all Thy love to me; the food I eat, the clothes I wear are all bestowed by Thee.
Tis Thou preservest me from death and dangers every hour; I cannot draw another breath unless Thou give me power.
My health and friends and parents dear; To me by God are given; I have not any blessing here; But what is sent from heaven.
Kind angels guard me every night; As round my bed they stay; Nor am I absent from Thy sight in darkness or by day.
Such goodness, Lord, and constant care, I never can repay; But may it be my daily prayer, To love Thee and obey. Amen.
Lord, in the Person of Your Holy Spirit, visit us with Your mercy and power. If we are on the wrong path, redirect our path into Your way of righteousness; if we are in the wrong group, lovingly bring us back into the fold of Jesus.
Lord, let the bravery and blood of the saints become the seed for further growth of Christianity in the world, especially in Nigeria. Lord, the heart of the king is in Your hand, and You turn it to wherever You will. Turn the hearts of persecutors toward You, and reveal Yourself to those who oppose the Gospel, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, help the body of Christ to know You personally. Let us press on to understand Your greatness, cherish Your Word, and seek Your presence. Come to us like the rain, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, visit all arms of our security agencies—from federal to state to local government. Transform their conditions for good, and provide every moral, spiritual, and physical resource needed for diligent service, in Jesus’ name.
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