Have you noticed that all of life’s choices end in victory or failure? Circumstances, environment, and access to resources can all affect outcomes but the recipe for prosperity is often effort and obedience.
As the book of Lamentations opens, the nation of Israel is under Babylonian rule and the capital city of Jerusalem is lying in ruin. An exhilarating season of prosperity and power came to a crashing halt as God’s chosen people were ushered into exile. Over time, Israel neglected their relationship with God and failed to heed the commands of their Creator.
All throughout the Bible, God gives us the road map to prosperity (John 10:10, Philippians 4:19, Deuteronomy 8:18, Joshua 1:8, Malachi 3:10, Deuteronomy 30). Sadly, most men don’t spend enough time reading the manual (R.T.M.) and therefore disobedience ensures.
This weekend, I found myself reading Lamentations and I couldn’t help but fixate on verse 9. Here’s what it says – “She did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding.”
All throughout the Bible, God’s Word gives us promises of protection, blessings, guidance, and prosperity if we seek Him. Israel knew this and saw it firsthand. Yet disobedience and a waning effort to obey God’s law crept in and she failed to consider the future.
So what does Israel have to do with me? Am I rightly considering my future? God’s manual has gifted us with this illustration. If we fail to recognize Him as our Creator and Guide then it won’t end well! The prophet Jeremiah describes the destruction in great detail but in four words he says “her fall was astounding.” I don’t know about you but I don’t want that for my life. We serve a good God and he’s saying ‘Steve I want you to prosper! I want to bless you! I want to give you the best road map (Psalm 119:105) , one that’s not crooked but straight (Proverbs 3:6).
Our part as Men, spend time with Him in His Word and ask him in prayer to guide you. I don’t know about you but I want him to guide me. I don’t want to be reduced to rubble because I didn’t consider my future. Spending time in God’s Word and praying are two ways that show you’re considering your future and want a good outcome! Below are 5 promises that God gives us if we seek him:
1. I will supply your every need (Phil 4:19)
2. God is always with you (Hebrews 13:5)
3. Strength is given to the weary (Is. 40:29–31)
4. God’s grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9)
5. You can be victorious through Jesus (1 Cor. 15:57)
Men, we all want to live strong and end strong. The only way both will happen is if we seek him one step at a time.
RTM,
Steve Thomas