"DESTINED UNTO GREAT THINGS
'But ye are a chosen nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.' I Peter 2:9
A people of destiny... it sounds so profound, while just a little unbelievable for most of us. Yet these words, which have encouraged and ignited believers throughout the history of the church, are as penetrating and applicable today as when they were penned by Peter almost 2000 years ago. 'Destined unto great things'! You made the choice when you received Jesus Christ as your Savior, and now He wants to work the reality of that in and through you. The word 'destiny' holds significant meaning as applied to the believer. Webster defines it as 'to decree beforehand, to designate, to dictate in advance, to set apart for a specific purpose, and/or a predetermined cause of events often held to be a resistless power or agency.' The Holy Spirit has truly opened a door before us which no man can shut.
I asked the Lord to make an application for me of that truth to us as a people; Great corporate bodies of believers are made up of individual believers, personally. God wants us to become people of prominent distinction. Believing that doesn't make me afraid I'll become proud. But rather, I'm speaking about the fact that God wants us to be a people who not only realize we have been chosen, but who also recognize that the purpose for our being chosen is to let the life and ministry of our Lord be continued here on earth.
Father, make us everything you want us to be - powerful, yet tender; firm, yet sensitive. We desire to be people of destiny, who are overcoming more and more, so Your life and love can begin to make a difference in situations and touch those who are close to us. How does that happen? Here are a few suggestions from chapter 14 of Genesis, Abraham's rescue of his nephew, Lot:
1. Realize that you are significant, not insignificant, to God and to the situation. Being few in number isn't a liability; my being in touch with Heaven is what makes the difference (Genesis 14:14).
2. Assess the situation. Don't assume you know what's wrong without consulting the Lord (Genesis 14:14).
3. Be armed. Don't go out to battle against the enemy without the proper weapons (Genesis 14:14, Ephesians 6:10-18 and Corinthians 10:3-5).
4. Pursue the enemy to the conclusion, or to victory. Don't settle for partial victories (Genesis 14:15).
5. Decide that people are more important than rewards. I will not be spiritually rich on the devil's terms, or exchange the value of a soul for riches (Genesis 14:21-24).
A people of destiny... it's more believable than we usually dare to imagine. It's a decision, and His working makes it possible.
Thankful to be chosen,
Ron Mehl"