Presence. Providence. Provision. Plan.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Introduction

In the midst of all that is going on all over the world, it is very difficult to reach out to people (even to one self) with the words 'peace be unto you' or 'it is well with you'. The background of the above scripture informs us of how God assures the nation of Israel of His (God) intentions to restore them after their 70 years in Babylonian captivity. At the time, Israel was still in the middle of hardship, pain and trouble as war captives serving in Babylon. In the heat of their affliction, God appears to Jeremiah the prophet with words of His presence, provision, providence and plans. Well, it does not seems to be a nice thing at the time. It was not the exact word they expected from God at the time. And perhaps you reading this article may as well wish for some instantaneous and self relieving words. Maybe an idea or a sort of miracle to end life hustles and bustles. However, God promised the most important thing we all need in the times and seasons we live in right now; especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic; PRESENCE, PROVIDENCE, PROVISION and a PLAN. Let's look at these four divine pillars of assurance in the midst of fierce life troubling and challenging moments;

PRESENCE

In the opening statement, God used the words 'for I know....' indicating His awareness of things (past, present and future). Generally, in the multifaceted nature of God, we know and call Him the Omnipresence; showing that He has His eagled eyes over all happenings under the sun. God is aware of the troubles of Israel and what excites me most is the fact that He knows what will happen to the children of Jacob in the next 70 years if they don't give up on hope. The presence of God in every life situation is manifested by the peace we have in the most difficult circumstances of life, the hope we have in the Lord is that it will end in praise of thanksgiving testimonies. Though it may seem rough, tough, uncertain and clustered, God's presence is there in the midst of the dark and foggy weather. The presence is right there moving and breeding over the firmament of the darkness as you anchor and the encouragement that will carry you on. The problem is our focus being shifted to the waves and the current of the storms which stirs up fear, intimidations, discourages and anxieties in us. If you can and we all can open the eyes of our heart and minds, the victory is assured because God knows. So you see, before you give up on that marriage, thinking you can't come out of that anxiety, addiction, depression, financial trap, job, business and family evil entanglement, remember God is saying to you 'for I know......'

PROVIDENCE

Subsequently, God told Jeremiah of His intention of providing a divine care, direction and an instance of divine intervention to liberate the children from their captive masters. This assurance is locked up in the word 'the thoughts that I think towards you' and further entreated in the words 'thoughts of peace.....' showing His commitment to qualify His thoughts with definite actions. God's providence is in His ability to keep us through 24 hours. The fact that you wake up, find yourself surviving someway somehow is an indication of the divine providence - it is what faith based folks call grace, favor and lovingkindness of God. Providence can not be given by men absolutely in its sense. God is the giver and sustainer of life, ideas, joy, peace, love, gladness and everything that refreshes the life of every life on the earth. These are essentials of life worth more than homes, cars, finances and food - READ: MATTHEW 6: 18-33. Jesus explains how God's providence towards humankind is very precious to Him. He knows and He has compassion to our need.

PROVISION

Jesus Christ taught His disciple (which now includes believers in His name) to pray to the Father for the provision of a day-by-day daily bread. This prayer is a repetition of the request which was once met in the wilderness through the provision of mana and ravens for food to the pilgrim Israelites. The standard of God's provision is on daily basis. He gives for reservation if necessary. The problem we have with God is our greed and envy of wealth and power - covetousness. The standard of provision is the same no matter the status quo of an individual. In the 24 hour race, the poor and rich alike gets to feed regardless of quality, quantity and number of times. The rich and poor alike under the same circumstances gets to wear decent cloths to their standard and class. Most importantly, they get a good night sleep or nap. Everyone can do these things once every day or best put, on a daily basis. No one baths to cover a month because there is enough water today. No one eats to cover the year. No one wear a pair of cloth for the rest of their lives. These things are daily and it takes the provision of God for someone to have peace of mind concerning these things everyday. Any day you feel insufficiently provided for, know that all you need is what you need to make it for the 24 hours God has given you. If you loose provision of the essentials of daily survival, prepare for death because the end of the provision of God indicates the end of life it self.

PLAN

God was specific with His choice of words. The conversation between God and Jeremiah saw words like thoughts / think alike repeated thrice in just that verse. Plans are ideas blueprinted into milestone which are executed over a period of time to achieve a define goal and objective. God's way of planning is not too far from the traditional means of planning and execution here on earth. The most difficult aspect is the time difference of heaven (where God dwells) and earth (where we mortals reside). King David said a day in heaven is a thousand years here on earth. So if we should look at the plans and execution of plans of God, it takes Him a blink of an eye to plan and execute - God is neither too late or early. God's plan has a target of an expected end to achieve. Simply put, God is right on time if you know how He works and His times. The children of Issachar knew and understood the times and seasons to know what to do - your situation is just one of those things in the plans of God. Wait for the divine manifestation. Trust in His plans. Have faith in His plans. God has a plan - He always does. These may include the things we tag as men to be evil and bad. God uses unconventional means to answer our prayers and execute His plans. Whatever your lot, accept it as the plan of God.

Conclusion

The background of this story reveals to us the plans of God for all the earth, the world and all that dwell in it. It reminds of three things;

• Our victory over sin and death (every form of slavery and captivity) through the victory of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Its a plan, provision, providence and presence of God in this dark and sinful world.

• An assurance of the seconding coming of our Lord Jesus to take us with Him as His bride to present to the Father in heaven. It is those who accept, believe and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and savior that will be sure of resurrection or rapture on the appearing of Christ in glory.

• An assurance that we will reign together with Christ in the 1000 years of millennium kingdom reign. There, the Lord will wipe away all tears from our eyes and we shall not remember any of the troubles of this present world.

You need to make a choice to be a partaker of the PRESENCE, PROVIDENCE, PROVISION, PLAN of God today by confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. Say a prayer right now and embrace the salvation of God;

Father, I accept that I'm a sinner and in need of a savior as well as forgiveness, I believe Christ died and took over my place in penalty of death on the cross, I confess and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please write my name in the Lamb's book of life. Thank you Lord for saving me. Amen.

God bless you greatly.

SOURCE: Apostle Aikins Akpene Doku (Aikins Outreach Ministries / The Gracelove Church Network)