The River of God

“She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the rivers bank.” - Exodus 2:3 NKJV

Moses’ mother put him in a basket, placed it in the river Nile and the tide carried him to Pharaoh's daughter. Who adopted him and made him part of Pharaoh’s family? His next 40 years would be spent preparing him for one of the greatest assignments of all time…the Exodus. There was a lesson here. The river took him from a place of hopelessness and despair to a place where all things became possible. And God can do that for you too.

#1 The River of His Grace can blot out your sins, clothe you in the righteousness of Christ, and bring you into a new relationship with God.

#2 The River of His Power can carry you from the place of defeat to the place of victory.

#3 The River of His Wisdom can carry you from the place of mistakes. And confusion to the place of vision and success and

#4 the River of His Provision can take you from the place of lack to the place of abundance.

And this may mean God will have to disconnect you from those who tear you down because they don't understand what He has called you to do, and connect you with a new circle of friends. Place you in a community of Believers that can build you up spiritually and help equip you to fulfill God's plan for your life. Moses’ mother couldn't have introduced him to Pharaohs daughter, but God could and He did. And what God did for Moses, He will do for you…if you seek Him in prayer and follow His instructions.

Remain Steadfast & Immoveable

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

Sometimes persons are of the opinion that when they accept Christ as their Savior, everything will be perfect. This is not true. We live in a fallen world and as long as we are here on earth, we will face many trials. Even when we have been given a work to do by the Lord, we will face some difficulties, some setbacks. One thing is certain is that God will not abandon us. God has been, God is, and God remains faithful to us. We can be confident that He is with us. 

The bible tells us that we will be persecuted for the sake of Christ. Just as Jesus was persecuted, mocked and laughed at, we too will experience the same things. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also – John 15:20 KJV. So, what do we do during times of persecution, suffering or when we face opposition? What do we do when we face blockages when we are doing the work of the Lord? Do we give up? No! We persevere to the end. At times it can be discouraging, and we may want to through in the towel. As believers, we are called to endure until the end. And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not – Galatians 6:9 KJV.

In our scripture reference, Paul encourages the brethren at Corinth, to remain steadfast; do not waver, be committed, be persistent. Paul continues on by saying, be unmovable. Stand firm! Don’t be moved; even if you are shaken, even if you are afraid. Remain rooted and grounded in Christ. Have you ever noticed, that even after a storm, there are some trees that remain standing. Be like that tree. Don’t let anything or anyone move you from your position in Christ. You are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! Eph. 2:6

Always abound in the work of the Lord. Whatever, God has called you to do, remain faithful. Like Nehemiah, when he was building the wall; he did not stop until the work was finished. Though he faced ridiculed from Sanballat and Tobiah, that did not stop him or let anything, or anyone deter him. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Nehemiah 6:3 KJV. Know that your labor is not in vain. What we do for Christ cannot compare to what He has done for us. Nothing that you do for Christ is useless. Know that a great reward awaits you!

God's Choice

So Jesse told his men to bring his youngest son for Samuel to see. This young man was handsome and strong, and he had beautiful eyes. The Lord said to Samuel, ‘I have chosen this man. Now anoint him as king.’ 1 Samuel 16:12 EASY

There is a saying, looks can be deceiving. We live in a world that is so superficial. A lot of attention is given to what looks good in the eyes of men. If it looks good, it must be good. Many are drawn away and deceived by what looks good. People may look good and even sound good when they speak, but their actions reveal their true nature, that which is in their heart.

God rejected Saul as King and instructed Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint the next king of Israel. Now Saul was tall and handsome, so Samuel’s thoughts were, God must be looking for the same stature for the next King. However, God had other plans; He was looking much deeper. He was looking at the heart. A heart that will obey Him. A heart with one intention and that is to please Him. A heart that was after God.

As Jesse’s son walked before Samuel, the first son Eliab was handsome and tall. Samuel thought, surely this is the one because he resembled Saul. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” vs. 7. God rejected each one that was presented. I’m sure Samuel was confused, but God knew the one He had chosen. God does not make mistakes.

Samuel asked, it there another son. Jesse said, yes and he is out in the field. They did not even remember or considered David. They forgot him, period. The forgotten, rejected one was God’s choice. I’m sure Jesse was in disbelief, but God knew the one He had chosen. People may judge us by how we look, our education level, our status, age, color, ethnic background etc. and reject us; but God looks at the heart. Truth is, we also judge ourselves and think that God will not choose us. It may be because of pass sins or like Gideon, we may see ourselves as insignificant (Judges 6:15). Man’s rejects are usually God’s elects! God does not operate or sees on the surface. He looks further than the surface. God looks at the heart.

I want to encourage us today. Are you rejected, considered as an outcast, hated by men? If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you – John 15:19 KJV. Has God spoken to you and said, you are the one He has chosen? Then simply believe Him, no matter what you see going on around you. In the fulness of time, God will shine His spotlight on you.