When Herod learnt about the birth of a new King in Bethlehem, he was threatened and wanted to find Jesus in order to kill him. Herod killed every child in Bethlehem to try to destroy the promise of Jesus Christ (Matthew 2).

Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him because of the destiny that God had placed in him. They changed their minds about killing him, put him in a pit and then sold him into slavery (Genesis 35).

The King of Egypt was threatened by the birth of the sons of the Israelites and demanded that all the male children should be killed. God had a great purpose for Moses and hid him in the King’s palace right in plain sight (Exodus 2-3).

David was anointed King and his first battles started with wild animals and then Goliath. His victory over the enemies and his skill in battle later caused envy in Saul who tried to kill him (1 Samuel 19).

We know the history of these great men in the bible and understand that they could not die until they had accomplished the destiny and purpose that God had placed in them. Herod could not kill Jesus and he lived to establish the message of salvation and died to redeem us back to God (Matthew 27).

Joseph could not die because He would become Prime Minister in Egypt. He saved the country and his family from a great famine and made a way for them to live in a new country (Genesis 46).

Moses lived to lead Israel out of captivity in Egypt and Saul could not kill David because of God’s promise that he would become (King. (2 Samuel 5).

No one can destroy the destiny and purpose that God has for you and remember that great trials will come to those who have a great destiny. This trial is sent to prepare you for where you are going and if you can endure it, God will bring to pass what has been spoken concerning you.

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As we pray and make our requests known to God, we stay in faith and trust God while we wait. God is able to give us double or much more than what we can ask for. God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly far more than we could ever ask, think or imagine (Exodus 3:20). Abraham waited many years for a son. God not only gave him a son but an entire generation of God’s people descended from Abraham.

Elizabeth and Zachariah waited many years before having a child and they produced a son that prepared the way for Jesus. We still speak of John the Baptist today who cried in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). Hannah waited before God opened her womb and blessed her with a son. Hannah not only produced a son but the great prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1).

I cannot say that I take pleasure in waiting but I have relentless faith and hope that God will do what he said. God will keep his promise to us and even though we have to wait, it will come to pass. The wait is our test and Abraham wavered not through unbelief at the promise although his body was nearly dead, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God (Romans 4:10).

Some prayers are answered straightaway. Some requests take a week, a month and maybe even years. Are we able to glorify God while we wait? Are we able to trust in him that he has a good and perfect plan for us? He does not love us any less when we wait and he does not regard others better than us. God has a plan which will come to pass at the appointed time.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3).

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There is a cost to everything that we do and our lifestyle choices produce results and consequences. Human ambitions often bring about success and accomplishments. We have to determine the cost to our family life, health and our relationship with God. Contrary to popular belief we cannot have it all and some areas of our lives tend to be affected by our choices. At times our family life can suffer at the cost of economic success and career development for example. Other times it is our spirituality and relationship with God that is affected by other choices made for success.

Jesus spoke to the multitude about the cost of being a disciple in Luke 14. Jesus spoke of every person being willing to take up their cross and following after him. He said in verse 28, For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Jesus continues that if the man starts the tower and then is unable to finish it, others may mock his attempt to start something he could not finish. Jesus used the parable to show that the decision to follow Christ and to live by his example comes at a cost (Luke 14:28-30).

Living a life for Christ determines the choices that we make daily. We cannot make the same choices that everyone else makes. We have to constantly deny those desires that do not come in alignment with the will of God. We have to consult God about our plans and decisions and be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Choices made for God can at times appear on the surface to be unpopular and not as enticing. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Living for God is the best way to live. He leads, he guides and protects. He leads us besides still waters and prepares provision for us. He teaches us to win and to profit and trusting in him guarantees that our plans will prevail. There is a cost to living for God, but the benefits outweigh the cost.

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We are not perfect and are unlikely to reach perfection while on earth. That being said, when we become children of God, we are being transformed into the image and likeness of God. We don’t always relish the idea of change and many modern philosophies encourage us to be our ‘true selves.’ There is deposited within each of us a unique set of traits to be used to fulfil our purpose and destiny. We also have faults and failures that God will strip away from us to make us into who he created us to be. It is our relationship with God, while beholding his glory, which transforms us into his image and likeness.

Change can be a very painful process and our old selves want to remain the way we are because it seems easier. There are seasons when we reach a crossroads and it is either we change or we will stagnate. There are some habits, hang ups and old ways of thinking and living that requires change for us to transition into a new season. There maybe old relationship patterns, career lifestyles for example that makes us unwell and cause us to remain stuck at the same level year after year.

Many times we ask God for more and we ask that he takes us into a new season and new dimensions. We also ask God for increase in blessing and favour. God oftentimes requires us to change and be transformed. We cannot take the same mindset into a new level. Having a different life from the one we have now will require us to make different decisions. God created us in his own image (Genesis 1:27). It is sin that distorts us from God’s image. We have to surrender to God’s will and allow him to remove the layers that sin has created to transform us into his image.

There are times when God will pull us away to himself to strip off some old layers. Some layers represent things that we need to change and we have to allow God to complete the work in us. When God starts to show us those areas where we need to change, let us surrender and allow him to transform us into a new person.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬).

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The description of Psalm 34, is of David when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech who drove him out and he departed. In 1 Samuel 21, David fled from Saul who sought to take his life. He sought refuge among a foreign King and the King’s servant recognized him as one who fought with Saul and was hailed for killing ten thousands. David became afraid and pretended to be insane so the King Achish threw him out.

After David’s narrow escape he went to a cave of Adullam and everyone who was distressed, who was in debt, who was bitter in soul gathered to him. And he became commander over them (1 Samuel 22:2). David was anointed to lead and even in the midst of his adversity, there were people who were willing to follow him.

There are seasons when it feels as though we are being pursued by the enemy. God has made a way of escape and when you have escaped, people will be gathered unto you and you help them. Jesus prayed for Peter when he experienced temptation. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke‬ ‭22:31-32‬). Peter’s ability to overcome adversity equipped him to help others.

God will save you out of this trouble. Your ability to endure this test and to overcome will give you the wisdom to help others overcome. You will help others in distress, who are experiencing trouble. Our assignment often determines the magnitude of our test.

Prepare a song of praise to God because you will overcome. The enemy will be confused by your praise. God has already provided the escape. Greater things are yet to come when we praise him through the storm. “My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad” (Psalm‬ ‭34:2‬).

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The most recent lockdown has felt quite onerous and trips to the supermarket feel like a day out. There is an end in sight as there is news that restrictions are about to be lifted. I am also looking forward to spring and an improvement in the weather. As I hope for a turnaround in the physical and environmental conditions, I am also hopeful that things are turning around for our good. As long as we are alive, we have hope of the promise of the goodness of the Lord.

I learnt recently that there are over eight thousand promises in the bible. Over seven thousand are promises that God made to mankind. Imagine that God has written in his word, over seven thousand opportunities for us to gain a blessing. Eight thousand promises means eight thousand opportunities to share in the inheritance of God’s goodness. God is not like people who make promises that they cannot keep. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it” (Numbers‬ ‭23:19‬)?

What does the bible promise and how do we access these promises? God has promised to bless us with long life. “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm‬ ‭91:16‬). In fact Psalm 91 is loaded with promises related to God’s protection from sickness and plagues. There are many other places in the bible where God promised us good health. “You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you” (Exodus‬ ‭23:25‬).

Time would not allow me to attempt to discuss all eight thousand promises in the bible. If we read about them in scripture and believe what it says, then declare those promises and they will manifest. Once we develop a deeper understanding of what God has promised in his word, then it is time for us to ask and receive. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew‬ ‭7:7‬).

We have a role to play in activating the promises of God. First we have to study to understand what has been promised to us, then we believe and declare those promises and watch them manifest. The word of God is active and requires our engagement in claiming what belongs to us. And as we grow in the knowledge and understanding of what God has promised, then things are going to get better.

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Hebrews‬ ‭10:35-36‬).

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We tend to regularly make plans for our lives, in terms of where we see ourselves at different stages. There are times however when God will say, ‘I have an even better plan.’

Disappointments are hard to process and it is hard for us to see at the time how a closed door is for our good. Often times its long after the event that it makes sense. It is then that we are able to see why God closed a door or diverted us from a perceived opportunity. The truth is that we can only see half of the picture or a glimpse into the future. God however knows the full story and he sees the beginning, middle and end. He sees the big picture.

With this understanding we surrender to his will and his leading. We surrender our need to be in control and acknowledge that he is God of our lives. Seeking God first can save us a lot of heartache and there are times when we have to wait. There is an appointed time for everything on earth. There are seasons when all of our trying does not seem to amount to much. Sometimes we have to be still and see the salvation of the Lord. Most battles are not won in our own strength but by the power and strength of the Lord.

Trust him. His ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). After all, he is God and it is obvious that he knows best.

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Jesus taught his disciples that it was not necessary to take oaths when they communicated with others or when they made a commitment to someone to complete an action or task. In essence we should be able to trust the words of others as truth and feel confident that what someone says or promises they will try their best to do. There are situations when we will make promises with the best of intentions and are unable to maintain our commitment. In these circumstances, we should make every effort to make amends. Let people know in advance that you will be late for a meeting for example, or that you will not be able to deliver on a promise.

People learn to measure our integrity by how we deliver on what we have promised to do. And even if we are unable to deliver on a promise that we made every effort to rectify the situation. “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9). At times we can make off the cuff promises or tell white lies to make someone else feel better or to make ourselves look and feel good. We set other people up when we make empty promises and the emotional impact is one of disappointment and mistrust.

Do not make a promise that you are unlikely to keep or one that you know you did not plan to deliver on in the first place. In Acts, Ananias and Sapphire sold their land and committed to give the money to the Church. They colluded and decided to lie to Peter to make him believe that they were giving all the money from the land. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land” (Acts 5:3). Peter warned that they had lied not to man but unto God.

We know the rest of the story that both Ananias and Sapphire fell down dead and were carried away and buried. I think most of us consider this story to be quite harsh and wonder why their judgement had to be so extreme. Peter’s view of the situation was that the land belonged to them anyway. If they wanted to sell the land and keep the money it was theirs. The challenge was that they decided to bear false witness. They made the decision to lie and cause deception in order to make themselves look good in front of others.

I am not advocating that anyone who is deceitful and deceptive should fall dead. What I am urging us to do it to speak the truth and let our yes be yes and our no be no. Make sure that your promises are made from a place of genuine intention. If you cannot keep a promise then let people know. We teach people that we are trustworthy and have integrity when they can trust that what we say is the truth.

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The journey of the children of Israel through the wilderness and into the promised land was an interesting one. It provides significant detail which is still relevant today for our journey through life and into God’s promise of rest. There is an eternal rest beyond this life in heaven, where we will live with God. However, God also provides seasons of rest and an inherited promise on earth for people who obey him and walk in his will and purpose.

After the freedom of the Israelites from Egypt, we study their journey through the wilderness into their land of promise. The journey was characterised by challenges, seasons of miracles and victory, disobedience and punishment. They eventually come into God’s promise of blessing. We share in that inheritance as God’s people, through adoption into his family.

In Deuteronomy Israel defeated Bashan and took possession of the lands before crossing over the Jordan river. Those lands were allocated to the Ruebenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh. These were three of the tribes of Israel that were the sons of Jacob.

Moses however, commanded them to cross over the Jordan to help the other tribes. This was to help them do battle and take possession of the rest of the promised land. And the tribes kept this decree and sent their men of valour with the army to help their brothers.

In Joshua 22, all the battle ended and God gave rest to all the people. Joshua acknowledged the work that the tribes of Rueben, Gad and Manasseh had done in helping their brothers. He told them that they could then go back to their own lands and rest.

It must have been a major sacrifice for these tribes to go beyond their land to help the other 10 tribes in battle. Nevertheless I imagine that within their unity there was strength for everyone to accomplish more.

The bible offers principles for life and instructions that we can choose to follow and adopt as examples for living. I suppose it makes it easier for us to rest knowing that we have worked to help others to win.

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God’s promise to the children of Abraham, was that after their deliverance from Egypt, that He would bring them into a land of promise. They would inherit cities that they did not build and houses full of good things. This represented God’s restoration to greater than what was before. The Jews may have felt like they missed out on living in their promised land. This was because of their time of harsh slavery in Egypt. This land that they would possess, originally belonged to Abraham. This was passed down to Isaac and then Jacob who lived there until the famine.

During the famine, they went to Egypt but the people settled there long after the famine. The result was cruel and harsh punishment and slavery. I wonder if the Israelites had overstayed their welcome. What might have happened if they left after the famine and returned to build on their own land? The reality is that Egypt was not their country and this was not the land which God had promised them.

The good thing about God is that he restores even when we have made mistakes. Even if them staying in Egypt was through lack of insight or foresight, God would keep his promises. And that is the nature of God that he honours his word above his name. Before one jot of his word should pass away, heaven and earth would have to pass away (Matthew 5: 18). So even before Israel went to Egypt and became slaves, God had a plan to deliver them. Why was their deliverance so important to God? Because of his promise to Abraham that he would have a people and a great inheritance.

We share in Abraham’s promise and we are confident that there is an inheritance in store for us. We can lay claim to every promise in the word of God and we call them into existence. “and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:11-12‬)

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