BE STEADFAST, LIVE FOR HIS PURPOSE

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Matthew 16:23 NIV

We are all chosen for a Purpose, so let us stand strong for the purpose we are chosen for regardless of the opposition we might face in this world. Our text was the response Jesus gave Peter when he tried to discourage Him from carrying out the purpose for which He was sent. Nehemiah faced similar opposition when he was rebuilding the walls, and his response to them was, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3 NIV)

Jotham gave this story to the people of Shechem when they wanted to crown Abimelech king, “ One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’ “But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’ “Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’ “But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’ “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’ “But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?”(Judges 9:8-13 NIV)

Notice that the Olive tree, the fig and the Vine did not give up their purposes for self gain, that should be our mindset. The enemy tactics might be to oppose our purpose in life with life challenges or even distract us with the good things of life, learn not to waver, rather stand firm. Live for the purpose for which you were sent. 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

WE PRAY FOR THE GRACE TO BE RESOLUTE TILL THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER IN JESUS NAME AMEN!