August 26, 2008

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

--Jeremiah 29:11

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. God has something significant that He wants to do in and through you. Do you really believe that today? 

Despite what our culture says, you're not here by accident. You’re here by divine Providence… and God has a plan and purpose for you. According to our verse for today, God has something significant for all of us to do… and that includes you.

Consider the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. The Scripture says that God gave Joseph great success. But beyond success, there’s significance… which is something more important that Joseph had. He also had vision, courage, determination, character, ability, and perseverance—all the qualities of a leader.

Yet there is one quality that stands out in this great man's life. It’s the quality of faith. Joseph trusted God throughout all of his days… in good times as well as bad times. And that faith is what gave Joseph significance!

In spite of the obstacles, against all the odds, this man persevered by faith. He started over many times in his life. He faced circumstances that would have defeated the average, ordinary individual. And yet regardless of the difficulties, he kept believing God. He kept following his Lord. He kept trusting his Master. 

Why? Because Joseph believed that God had a plan for his life, and he was determined to discover his destiny. I mean, think about it: Joseph was despised and rejected by his own dysfunctional family. He was kidnapped and left for dead. He was sold as a slave. He was falsely accused and imprisoned. He was used and abused. He was failed and forgotten. And yet by faith he carried on.

And I want to encourage you to carry on by faith as well. Whether you’re in good times or bad times right now, God has a perfect plan for your life.

TRUST IN GOD’S PROMISE THAT YOU HAVE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE IN HIM.