Every person has a divinely implanted destiny and purpose, and we can never really be fully satisfied unless we live out that destiny and purpose through Christ.
Ecclesiastes says,
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy]…. —Ecclesiastes 3:11 (AMP)
But there are many things that can hinder or destroy our destiny and sabotage the fulfillment of God’s purposes for our lives! But most believers are usually able to trust God to restore their lives from the consequences related to these kinds of destructions.
What If We Mess Up?
What happens if we are the ones who have failed and hindered our own life’s purposes? This is usually where we struggle to trust God.
David, made a really powerful observation:
…Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction…. —Psalms 103:2-4 (KJV)
God is willing and able to restore our destructions.
The Power of Sin to Destroy vs the Power of Grace to Restore
The gospel reveals that the power of sin and iniquity to DESTROY your life, is never greater than the power of God’s love and grace to RESTORE your life!
…But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded. —Romans 5:20 (AMP)
This truth is so apparent in Paul’s life and ministry because he had firsthand experience of the power of God’s grace on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–9). Paul wanted to destroy every Christian and was on a mission to do so. On the road to Damascus, he encountered Jesus.
The Whole Outlook Changes
On the road to Damascus, sin in Paul’s life was abounding, increasing and overflowing.
Every person has a divinely implanted destiny and purpose, and we can never really be fully satisfied unless we live out that destiny and purpose through Christ. But Paul said,
…Yet, though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God his grace is wider and deeper still! … but now GRACE IS THE RULING FACTOR. —Romans 5:20 (Phillips)
When you trust in the Lord and His finished work, the whole outlook changes! Even in our greatest failures, God’s grace is more powerful to heal, deliver and restore, than the power of sin to hinder, sabotage and destroy! You’re never out of God’s reach to restore you and fulfill His purposes for your life!
God Has No Expectations of Us, Just Expectancy for Us
Scripture reveals that God has no “expectations” of us, but rather only has an “expectancy” for us.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. —Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
If God had expectations of us, He would be disappointed all the time. But He only has an expectancy for our gifts, callings and ministries. Therefore, He’s never disappointed in us. He only has hope and is excited for us! God is always ready, willing and able to help us get where we need to go in life, no matter how many times we’ve failed.
God Can Recalculate! I’m glad I have a navigation app on my phone. When driving in unfamiliar cities, I put the address of my desired destination into the app, and the voice will guide me where I need to go. If I take a wrong turn or exit, the app will immediately recalculate and get me back on track.
If we are able to devise an app to help us stay on track, how much more is God able to recalculate our failures to help us get where we need to go in life!
And I am convinced and sure … that He Who began a good work in you will continue … developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. —Philippians 1:6 (AMP)
Blessings,
Arthur Meintjes