To The Shore

ISAIAH 46:9-11 NIV  REMEMBER the former things, those of long ago; I am GOD, and there is no other; I am GOD, and there is none like ME. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: MY purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far off land, a man to fulfill MY purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

 

Almighty GOD most definitely has a wondrous purpose for all HE plans. If we would "remember the former things, those of long ago", we would know this to be true. We would know that "there is none like" GOD. We would remember that only GOD can "make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come". We would know that HIS "purpose will stand", and HE "will do all that HE pleases". We would find hope in that knowing, because if GOD does over-rule HIS creation, then our future, our hope, rests securely in HIS hands. We would find patience and comfort there also because we know HIM, WHO holds the future, though we know not what the future holds.

This is what we must learn first. Until we realize the working out of the purposes of GOD, that HE is powerful enough to manage HIS creation, we do err, thinking we know anything more.

MATTHEW 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of GOD.

It's not "self-help" books we need. Not books on relationships or marriage or sex. Not books on history or even theology. No, not even positive motivational books to help our self-esteem, nor books on over-eating, over-drinking, or over-working. We need to place our eyes upon the Holy Page. We need to esteem it "more then our necessary food".

Not knowing the Scriptures, man will never understand GOD's will for his life. When GOD does act in our behalf, many normally dismiss it as a coincidence. Then if GOD stands silent during times of trouble, others invent what they name "acts of GOD". Still others think GOD is a sword they can wield to defeat their enemies or perhaps a magic wand with which to bless their friends. No, GOD has HIS OWN purpose. Like a mighty river, man can either flow with it or try to swim against it.

We can either spend our lives fumbling in the dark for answers, chasing in every direction for promises of satisfaction, or we can come to HIS word, be still, and learn to trust HIM who holds our future.

Centuries ago, Moses brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt after many years of slavery. He brought them through a wilderness to a great river of faith. GOD promised them that a land of milk and honey awaited them on the other side. It was all theirs if they would only cross over and take possession. But fear seized their hearts and they not only refused to cross over, but also they wept and cried to return to bondage in Egypt.

Therefore, in the wilderness they wandered for forty years till all the adults had died, except Caleb and Joshua. Then once again GOD brought them to the shore, to see if they were ready to cross over. This time they were and they did.

I believe in our lives, GOD brings us to the shoreline on occasions. If we are ready to cross over into our Promised Land, then we march across and begin to claim GOD's goodness for our lives. But if not, if because of fear or doubt we refuse to cross over, then its "back to Egypt", or "back to wandering in the wilderness", till our faith in HIM is sufficient to carry us across.

Many wonderful Christians suffer needlessly today. To them life is like a shadow. They can't overpower it so as to control it, nor can they touch and caress it so as to love it. GOD has chosen a wonderful eternity for each and every one of us but we can't enjoy what we don't receive. "In Pursuit of Purpose" will give us a track to run on that we may search and find GOD's heart. But it is a pursuit, not a stroll. We will not find GOD's purpose just by wandering around. We must pursue it as if it were hidden treasure. We won't find it by reading a "verse for the day" or reading just "first thing in the morning". We must pursue it as if it were our very reason for existing, because it is. And we will find that when we do pursue and search for GOD through HIS Holy word, almost immediately we sense HIS closeness. HE is as close as HIS word.

But we must not get ahead of ourselves. Our hope, our calling is saved for a later sitting after we look at, and learn, and know HIS purpose of the ages.