THE PLACE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU GO THROUGH THE JOURNEY OF LIFE

Beloved, I welcome you to the New Year and also congratulate you for the rare privilege despite the evils that abound in our world today.  God has been faithful and good to us and we give Him all the glory, honour, adoration and praise.  Surely, He will continue to be our God even unto eternity.

A new year could be likened to a wilderness that one has not passed through before and which is full of ravenous animals, thorns, mountains, rivers and other wicked creatures that are capable of devouring people.  To enter and go through such a wilderness, it is essential that one is adequately prepared to contend victoriously.  The hunters who go to such wilderness in search of animals to kill are usually powerfully prepared with all kinds of fetish powers otherwise, they would not return alive.

In Exodus 14, we read about the deliverance of the old nation of Israel from the land of Egypt.  Thank God for His presence that went with them all through.  The enemies later realized that releasing them was going to be a colossal loss, so they started pursuing them so as to take them back to enslavement.  God who led them out on eagle’s wing stood behind them.  He led them by the pillar of cloud by day and cloud of fire by night until when they were able to cross the red sea successfully.  Their enemies perished in the red sea.  The Bible says in Psalm 125: 1-3 that “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.  For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous”.  God is ever good and compassionate to those who fear Him and trust in Him.  He is ever available to guide, direct, defend and protect all those who fear Him and take instructions from Him  Psalm 46: 1-3.

God promises in Psalm 32: 8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye.”  As we start year 2016, we need to move closer to God and allow Him to be in charge of our lives.  We should be resolute in our decision to follow Him and carry out His instructions daily.  It is very dangerous to leave God out of our lives.

The Bible enjoins us in Proverbs 3: 5-7 that we should “Trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding.  In all our ways, we should acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths.  Not to be wise in our own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil.”  Brethren, by following these wise counsels, miracles, breakthroughs and favour will follow us.  Right from the beginning of this year, we should drop friends and colleagues who can influence us to be involved in acts of unrighteousness because the Bible says that “Bad company corrupt good manners and Psalm 1 echoes the blessedness of those who shun such companies but rather delight to meditate in the laws of God day and light.

In year 2016, let us “trust in the Lord, and do good, let us dwell in the will of God, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him And He shall bring it to pass.  He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday” –  Psalm 37: 3-6.

Beloved in Christ, kindly meditate on all these Bible passages and inwardly digest them.  You will soon discover that what you think you cannot achieve will be very easy for you to achieve and God will be so happy with you that He will do incredible things in your life.  His plans for you are of welfare and not of evil, to give you a hope and a future.  Let His Word, wisdom and spirit guide you this year and jettison anything that is contrary to all these and it will always be well with you.  Be patient with Him and you will be glad you did by the time He works out His purpose in your life.  Isaiah 1: 19 says “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the fruits of the land.”

May God journey with us this year.  May He give us uncommon favour and testimonies in Jesus name.  Amen.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon

 Julius Oyetunde Oyediran