CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED PART1 “The Gift of Purpose”
PURPOSE IS REVEALED IN GOD’S PLAN
Psalm 138:7-8 7” Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.
8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”
David knew and trusted that God had a plan for his life. He recognized the ways God had already worked out so much in his life, so he knew that even though his circumstances seemed unsurmountable, God was in control. David knew there was a purpose behind these circumstances. God is calling all of us to that kind of trust in His plan.
Isaiah 55:3-5 3 “Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
I made him a leader among the nations.
5 You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”
God uses Isaiah to reminds us of the purpose that was revealed through David’s life. God promises that if we listen to His call, we will find life, He will pour out His unfailing love onto us and direct us to lives of purpose.
Proverbs 19:21 21 “You can make many plans,
but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Solomon speaks truth to those who will listen through this proverb. One example that comes to mind in Scripture is Jonah. God called him to go to Ninevah, but at first Jonah ran away. Even when he finally went in reluctant and half-hearted obedience, his message brought repentance. The Lord’s purposes will prevail regardless of our plans.
GOD’S PURPOSES TRACE ALL THE WAY BACK TO CREATION. HE KNEW THAT ADAM AND EVE WOULD FALL SHORT. HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD NEED TO SEND JESUS TO RESCUE HUMANITY FROM ITSELF. GOD LOVES US SO MUCH THAT HE PLANNED TO REDEEM US FROM OUR FAILURES. WE CAN TRUST THAT HIS PLAN IS FULL OF PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES.
Romans 8:28 28” And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Believers are chosen, are called by God. He has a purpose for each of us that only we can fulfill. We can trust that God will work things out when we align ourselves with His plan, for our good and for His glory.
Isaiah 43:7 7 “Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”
Again, through the prophet Isaiah, God reminds Israel and all who “claim me as their God” that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. Isaiah 43 is full of assurances of God’s hand that covers the lives of those who follow Him and reminds us that we are indeed chosen as His own people. Let us stand in confidence of being chosen and purposed for God’s glory.
Putting this into Practice
Consider the truth that God has called you for a specific purpose. Is this a difficult concept for you to grasp, or have you witnessed this truth through experiences in your life?
Read Exodus 9:13-19, paying special attention to verse 16.
Only God can use both the good and the bad in our lives for our good and His glory. Just as He used Israel’s captivity and Pharoah’s hard heart, we can trust He will use difficulties we face. What is one thing you have a hard time believing that God can use in your life?
Are you asking God to lead you through that one thing? Take time today to write out a prayer and thank Him in advance for just how He will use that difficulty for your good and His glory. Share in your small group and be encouraged by the testimonies of others.
Read Proverbs 16 which is full of reminders that God indeed has a plan and purpose for every believer.
Pick out two verses to write out, memorize and post where you will see them this week that encourage you to trust God’s plan and purpose for your life.
Share these verses with your small group. Why did you select them? How do they encourage you to trust God?
How can you take these verses and connect them back to Jesus being the greatest gift we could ever receive?
Isaiah is so full of God’s plans and purposes for His people. We are reminded that Scripture will direct us to our identity in Christ and God’s direction for our lives. But to gain this knowledge we must spend time in His Word.
Read Isaiah 55. Which verse focuses on the truth of God’s Word? Have you experienced this truth in your life? Share your experience with your small group.
Look up another passage in Scripture that we have not covered here about God’s plan and purpose for the life of every believer and share about how God speaks to you through it.
Read Isaiah 55:8-9 in a different translation. Have you seen God do this in your life? Sit with this passage and ask God to open your eyes to how He is working in your life and if you struggle with trusting Him, ask for His help to lay fear down and trust that His ways are “far beyond anything you could imagine.”
