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Approaching with God’s point of view
Grace takes you from where you are to where God wants you to be. Therefore, wherever you are in your walk with God right now, He is going to take you further, deeper and into a more intimate relationship with Him.
Studying grace and riches
David’s prayer of thanksgiving, as he neared the end of his life’s journey on earth, describes the path and the source of God’s riches – Both riches and honor come from you, O Lord, and you reign over all. In your hand is power and might; in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. [1 Chronicles 29:12] The word ‘riches’ in God’s sight, is more than just financial riches; it is also being rich in faith, rich in good works, being rich toward God, and the rich mercies of God. It is His mercy, that has made you and I, seated in His presence today, our sins removed as far as the east is from the west.
The purposes of God
In the kingdom of God, being financially rich has a purpose attached to it; one that the wisdom of God brings to you. I wisdom, dwell with prudence; and find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. [Proverbs 8:12,13] These are the words of wisdom from above; and the book of James elaborates – But if you have bitter envy and self seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual and demonic. [James 3:14,15] There are two kinds of wisdom; therefore, there is always the need for discernment to know and apply the sound wisdom from above.
Approaching through sound wisdom
Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, as the judges of the earth. [Proverbs 8:14-16] The verses above, are expressed thus, in another version of the same passage – Commonsense and success belong to me; insight and power are mine. It makes perfect sense in a world which has pushed God to the side lines, and finds that commonsense is not common anymore !
Why do plans and purposes fail ?
Without counsel, plans go awry; but in the multitude of counselors they are established. [Proverbs 5:22] Plans that you make for your circumstances, the vagaries of life can fail, or get frustrated due to lack of counsel. It is what the word of God says, in the verse above.
What is counsel ?
In the world today, everybody has an opinion about everything, which they are waiting to express, whether you like it or not ! There is plenty of human counsel. Counseling is a term that is used in various domains, both private and professional. This should not limit you though, from comprehending the uniqueness and greatness of the counsel that comes from the only wise God, through the Counselor.
The Counselor and the multitude of counselors
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter and Counselor. And, ‘I will keep my eye upon you, to counsel you’, is the promise of the Almighty God, of His personal attention on you. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go’, He declares to you. [Psalms 32:8]
‘Your testimonies are my counselors’
In the psalm that focuses very specially on the nature and power of God’s word, the psalmist says -Your testimonies also are my delight, and my counselors. [Psalms 119:24] When you are going through a problem, it is not in knowing a lot of people, but it is in knowing a lot of the word of God, and understanding and believing in it, that you will come through it safely. For, whatever your problem may be, in His word there are a multitude of promises that address it in various aspects, giving you answers that can never fail. God begins to enlighten you, through His life giving words in the Bible concerning your situation, and they then become your counselors.
The testimonies of a multitude
Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. [Hebrews 12:1]
There have been others, a multitude of them who have gone ahead, running the race of faith. And their testimonies in God’s word are now your counselors. They are like a multitude of witnesses surrounding you, encouraging you to press on and overcome, and finish your race in glory, even as they have done. And you will know even in the midst of a problem that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning, when the revelation light of God’s word comes through to dispel the darkness of your situation. ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God…’ the Lord counseled the multitude. Begin therefore with the word of God, approaching your troubling situation through it.
The approach determines the landing
It is what every pilot who commands an aircraft is taught, as he learns to navigate the skies, and descend to land safely in the designated runway. When the approach is right, the landing will be smooth. In a way the landing begins with the approach. Even as you have to navigate challenges to reach your God given destiny, begin with the Word, so that your approach may be right. As you read the scriptures, be sensitive to what the Spirit of God is saying to you through it.
Approaching with thanksgiving
I will enter His courts with thanksgiving and praise… [Psalms 100:4] His praise shall continually be in my mouth…. [Psalms 34:1] These are not empty words. The psalmist was able to declare this, and approach God with thanksgiving, even in unjust and painful circumstances. His words are testimonies, showing you that you can always approach the Lord with thanksgiving. It is because, though you may be experiencing a troubling situation, you have more reasons to be thankful, than to be miserable. The very fact that you are alive today is a glorious reason to be thankful, for you have a purpose to accomplish.
Therefore be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. [Philippians 4:6] And even when it is a joyful occasion that you are looking forward to, let your approach to it be godly and right, in alignment with God’s word. You will then see it blossom and flourish, giving you love, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Multitude fed, and the approaches to it
The Lord knew what He was going to do; He knew that He was going to send the multitude away, not empty handed, but satisfied and filled; the disciples did not know it though. And so when evening came, their reactions and approaches to it were varied, and reflect what can happen in you and I too, when faced with a huge, seemingly impossible task.
1) The emotional approach
The disciples came to Him saying, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, so that they may go into the individual’s villages and buy for themselves food’. [Matthew 14:15] ‘Just send them away, and then we can have peace’ was the emotional approach of the disciples.It can happen in any person, and even in you, when you feel helpless and unable to cope with the problem in front of you, and you are fully convinced that you can make no impact at all. At times, the injustice of it all can make you angry, but then again, as God’s word clearly states, the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [James 1:20]
In a time of crisis or need, listening to the various voices around you, and also knowing that mere opinions of men can do nothing to resolve the situation, can easily lead you into taking the emotional approach. And it was what made the disciples say, ‘Just send them away’.
2) The rational approach
And they said to Him, ‘We have only three loaves and two fish’. [Matthew 14:17] A rational and calculating approach, as seen above, will be able to see only the impossibility of the situation. It will not be able to see a solution to it, the truth that what is impossible with man is possible with God. It is why you need to approach your seemingly insurmountable circumstance with the revelation point of view, the revelation from God.
3) The revelational approach
In the beginning was the Word. And even before you encountered your challenge, the promise through which you can overcome it, was there in the word of God. Therefore, you need to approach your situation with God’s point of view, in the light of the revelation Word. Lord Jesus knew what He was going to do, to feed the multitude. And it was His word, His point of view that accomplished the miracle. Even today, the Lord speaks to you through His word to address your situation as no one else can. And His approach comes to you as a revelation in your spirit from His word, which leads you to accomplishment. In a way, faith can be defined as, having God’s point of view, and walking in it. Approaching with God’s point of view is illustrated with wondrous clarity in the life of Joseph, in the manner in which he approached the years of famine.
Joseph’s approach through insight and foresight
Now therefore, let pharaoh select a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. [Genesis 41:33] After rightly interpreting the dreams of the pharaoh, Joseph also proceeded to show him how to approach the years of famine that were going to come to pass.
Storing up reserves for the future
Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish during the famine. [vs 36] Joseph gave a method to the approach; of storing up reserves during the years of plenty, which will see them through the years of famine. God’s point of view, His approach is often very simple and direct, not complicated at all. Storing up reserves is what you can see the ant do ! A very simple principle that God once again advocates through the words of King Solomon.
Go to the ant ..
Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider her ways and be wise; Which having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. [Proverbs 6:6-8] When the Bible refers to a person as ‘fool’ it is not about his intelligence quotient being low; rather it is about a person who chooses to disregard God, and not acknowledge His very existence.
In the same manner, the ‘sluggard’ refers to more than just physical laziness, it is about the person with a rebellious attitude in him; one that says, ‘I will do what I do, whenever I want to do, and whichever way I want to do it’. It is also the person, who has more excuses for not doing something, than reasons for doing it. The lazy man is also one who is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men who can answer sensibly. [Proverbs 26:16]
The Bible certainly does not beat about the bush ! None to oversee.. This is where the emphasis lies; for, the ant works very industriously even though there is no one to supervise it. And it is what the apostle Paul builds upon, when he talks about work, in his letter to the Colossians.
But you serve the Lord Christ
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ. [Colossians 3:23,24] It is the Lord whom you serve; and He watches over you to lend you His strength, His helping hand. So wherever you start in the ladder, you will rise to the top, for the Lord is with you. It is what happened in the life of Joseph. It will happen in your life too, as you do whatever you are doing, as unto the Lord, because God has called you to do it, and with no other expectation. And it is from Him that you will ultimately receive your reward.
How does it become possible ?
‘Sustain me with a willing spirit’, was the prayer of David, as he relied on the strength of God in his time of crisis. For, in any situation, it is only when you have a willing spirit, knowing what you need to do, will also lead you to doing it.
The insight that leads to foresight
‘Let pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of the good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of pharaoh, and let them heap food in the cities’. [Genesis 41:34,35]
Procuring and saving is what the people of the world do too. And definitely, saving up for a rainy day, for an emergency, for the future, is not inherently wrong at all. But, the difference when you are the child of the Father in Heaven is that, you will have more than just common sense. You will have insight and power, which gives foresight concerning your future. For, the Scripture foresees and foretells, and therefore you will be forewarned regarding it, that you may be adequately prepared.
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand saying, ‘In you all the nations of the world shall be blessed’. [Galatians 3:8]
Approach to accomplishment through understanding:
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound judgment for the righteous; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly. [Proverbs 2:6,7] To the righteous, the one who believes and trusts in Him, God gives His special wisdom and sound judgment.
How does it work out in your life ?
Earning money is what every person does, but the difference will be in your approach. For you will have the insight to know what has been determined by God, And the dream was repeated to the pharaoh twice, for the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [Genesis 41:32]
And through God, you will also have His point of view, in order to approach wisely and overcome any challenge that you may encounter. In a fallen world, disasters and famine can occur, but even in the midst of it and through it, God will work out your destiny. For, what you earn, what you spend, and what you save, all have a purpose to it in the sight of God. Therefore, there will be no panic in your approach towards earning and saving money. Yes, you need to save, and have money in the bank. But there is a reason to it; and He will show you the right purpose, at the right time. The Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom, His promises will see you reign in life, even in your difficult times.
Do not worry
‘Do not worry about tomorrow’ is the wise counsel of the Lord. For in worrying about tomorrow, you will lose out on the joy that God has for you today. When worry comes, you need to go to the word of God to think through the scriptures, listen to the instruction of the Father who loves you, in order to depend on Him for your sustenance in all areas of your life.
You need to think and plan for your future, approach it through God’s word and His purposes for you, and you also need to prohibit worry from disturbing your peace. The journey of the Israelites in the wilderness is valuable instruction that comes through God’s word. It teaches you and I, how to approach, and how not to approach a situation, and the consequences of it, the good and the bad.
The wrong approach – and the manna was spoilt:
And Moses said, ‘Let no one leave any of it till morning’. Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. [Exodus 16:19,20] In the provision and collection of manna, God was teaching His people, how to depend on Him day by day, and not worry about tomorrow. But in double mindedness and doubt, which is always the work of the devil, some of them disobeyed, and approached the situation wrongly. And on the next day, the manna was spoilt.
Why did it happen ?
It was a saving from panic and doubt, with no purpose attached to it. And even manna from heaven can smell and go bad, when it is confined to not purpose, but fear, and maybe selfishness.
The right approach and the manna remained good:
So they laid up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. [Exodus 16:23,24]
This was when they followed the instruction of God. It was the same manna, but it did not smell ! When you approach your finances through God’s instructions, it will be purposeful. And you will have plenty, with no problems attached to it; no worms ! When you take the godly approach towards your finances, and in saving money, you are connected to His purposes for you. It will see you being blessed to bless others. ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ says the word of God. And you will receive more than enough in your hand, that you may be blessed to give to others !
The godly approach leading to accomplishment:
By me, kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me, princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. [Proverbs 8:15,16]
It is by the Lord’s instruction, His insight, that you rule and reign in your circumstance, to be blessed, to bless others. For, people will come to you to receive, what God has already given to you. It is what happened in the life of Joseph. And the God of Joseph is your God too. Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for the Pharaoh, for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was so severe. [Genesis 47:20]
People were selling to him to survive, and Joseph was buying to become prosperous ! When you take the godly approach, you too will prosper, even in times of difficulty, that God’s purposes for you may be accomplished. Therefore, do not panic, do not worry; stick to His purposes, and God’s promises will come to pass in your life
Learning in favorable and not problematic ways
Some people may think that Joseph was exploiting the need of people to become rich. But the truth of the matter is that, the upcoming famine was known to all, even during the years of plenty. And God is a God of justice. You and I need to learn in ways that are favorable to us, and not in problematic ways. And the time will come, when God will fulfill His purpose, when, what you earn, spend and save, will all be purposeful. For, you are here for a purpose.
Taking God’s point of view – the key:
The key is to take His approach, God’s point of view. He will lead you and guide you to accomplish His purpose in your life. The God of Joseph is your God, and my God, and He is in sovereign control. He knows it all. Start thanking Him therefore, for all the blessings that He has already given, and all that He is going to give you, in the days ahead.
May His promises come to pass in your life; Let all panic be removed, and may provision come, so that His purposes are fulfilled in your life. For, He is a God of purpose. In the Name of Christ Jesus Amen.
