Integrity- People of God

Psalm 139:13-18a

Before the Foundation of the World was laid God knew us and designed His perfect plan for our lives. This was before the world distorted our view of ourselves. God had a plan and a purpose for our lives, for us to prosper and to have hope for our future. When we look at this world and the destruction and hatred of mankind against one another, we can hardly imagine God could have a plan to bring prosperity to our lives, to our family to our home and community. This is because we have listened to the voice of this world and our enemy too long rather than search out the truth of God’s voice which is found in His word.

We find ourselves in the very same place as Adam and Eve, who had the word and the promise of God that they were created in His image to rule and have dominion over the earth. As we have discussed before, an enemy came and planted seeds of doubt and rebellion against God and Adam and Eve chose to believe the lie of the enemy rather than the word of God.

 Jeremiah 29:11           For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The word tells us God formed our inward parts and God covered us in our mother’s womb. We should praise God, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made! God saw us when the millions of possible life producing seed went racing to the egg in our mother’s womb and He called out our name and spoke life and began to form our inward parts for His purpose and glory. The world would call us an accident, a slipup, a mistake but God called us by name for a purpose.

The enemy tries to destroy us before we are born just as he did in the times of Moses and Jesus because he is afraid of our purpose. When he cannot abort our lives to destroy us then he will try to oppress us with heavy burdens of life just as he did with the slaves in Egypt. And if all else fails the enemy will come to try to kill, steal and destroy the people of God. God has made provision for His people and will be with us even until the end of the world.

We are wonderfully made, we are full of wonders; no man can predict or determine our future. God has made us, formed us and fashioned us in such a way that people are amazed, surprised and marvel at all we can do. Some are even astonished and become full of fear of what can be accomplished through God. When we learn the truth of who we are in Christ, the enemy cannot come and trick us into hating ourselves or others who are unlike us. We will know God has a divine purpose for us all and He is able to make us all successful and blessed, with nothing missing and nothing lacking.

Our frame was not hidden from God, when we were made in secret God’s eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. God sees every unborn child and has a plan for every life. God knows the parents, the race, and the culture He has placed us in. He knows we have the ability to win in life even with all the strikes that may be against us, no matter the problems, handicaps or disadvantages we may have. God has a purpose to use those issues to bring Him glory. When others see us rise out of darkness and ashes they will know only God could have done such a wonder in our lives and people will give God praise for Who He is.

If God be for us who can stand against us? No man can stop you; you can only give up on yourself and God’s purpose for you. If Joseph would have given up when he was sold into slavery he wouldn’t have made it to Egypt. Had he given up when he went to prison, he would not have met Pharaoh or saved his family. As long as there is breath in our lungs and life in our bodies God is able to turn our lives around and to work the things the world meant for evil for our good and His glory.

Psalm 127: 3-5           Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

How do we view our children? Are we telling them what God has said about them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made? Do we let the world tell us about ourselves and our children? God has said our children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward and so are the children of our youth. Children are like arrows in our hands. Where are we sending our children? Whether we know it or not, like it or not, we are sending our children into their future… Where are we directing them? What weapons are we equipping them with as warriors to be prepared for the battle they will face in their lifetime? Whose armies will they march with; what drummer will they be hearing; who will they be fighting for and who will they be serving? God or Satan-choose…

We must tell our children they are made in the image of God and they are full of wonders and the God of this universe loves them and will be with them. They will have trouble but God will see them through if they will not give up.