At The Pleasure Of God
Romans 14
KJV
8+ For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Having lived through different political administrative dispensations spanning seven decades one certain thing, among several others is the transitional nature of holding a political office.
There is no permanency in political appointments. Every appointee holds his/her office at the pleasure of the president or the appointing authority.
You may have heard it said, “ the president appoints and dis-appoints”. Indeed contrary to what some may think or believe. No condition is permanent, positions are not possessions! Everyone serves at the pleasure of somebody
Beloved, the same applies to our walk and work with God, He alone “appoints and dis-appoints”. We live and serve at His pleasure. He “ ordains and dis-ordains”! None can query or fight Him over his “appointment and or dis-appointment “
Read again what Paul said ;
Romans 14:8
NIV
[8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
We are His to use as He wishes, He made us to serve His purposes on Earth. So wherever you find yourself be it “pleasant or unpleasant” understand that you are there or in that situation because He wants to use YOU!
Jesus once found himself in a “worrying” situation, Read what he said;
John 12:27
NIV
[27] “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
Did you read that “ it was for this very reason I came to this hour!”. Take note and be guided by this example!
Events that occur in the lives of the children of God are meant to serve a divine purpose. The difficulty we have is recognizing and knowing in advance that it is God’s will.
This may be difficult to accept by many but history and experience show how true this statement is. How many times, and at what point have you not quoted what Paul wrote regarding things that happen to us?
Romans 8
KJV
28+ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
“And we know “ at what time did we know; is it not after we have complained? Yes.
Beloved, whatever purpose(s) for which God called you will work well for you in the end.
If He takes you through “fire/heat “He will have His Hand on the thermostat, to regulate it. Is this not what He meant when He spoke through Isaiah; Read it,
Isaiah 43
KJV
2+ When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
We are unable to accept these assurances and live with them because of two things, fear and anxiety. Admittedly we are human, none is exempt! (Not even this writer !) Ours is to wait patiently which again is a difficult thing to do!
Patience is required! To walk and serve God beloved patience is required. If we do not have patience we can not serve or walk with Him This writer learnt this the hard way ( and continues to learn) and can testify that it is true.
Be honest, have you not ever said in private “Why is God slow in doing this or that for me?” Yes! To be patient is to wait and waiting for the majority is a challenge!
Finally, how do we learn patience?
We do this by acknowledging that we are weak, do not know it all, can not do it on our own we need help, and this help will come from someone who will act when he has time for us.
Whether that someone will attend to us immediately or later, we don’t know it all depends on their time and not ours.
Through experience, we have all been treated like this before. I have asked for help from some who acted on my request at the time they wished, even as I write some have but even said a word! Nor did they show any sign of attending to a request for help! I can not force or compel them. Mine is to wait and this is patience, painful as it may be!
Beloved, if we can wait patiently for humans to attend to our needs, then we can do the same with God. The difference is, though men may disappoint, He doesn’t!
Let us learn to resign our wills to Him. Yes, whether we live or die, we are His. We live and serve at His pleasure! He alone “ appoints, and or dis-appoints” To Him we owe everything!.
Owû mûô, nkwa muô Nipè ènÿè hô!
Thoughts to share
John Franklin Tamakloe