WELCOME TO 2005: OUR YEAR OF EVIDENCE

Beloved, I welcome you to the year 2005, a very special year that will usher you into a new level of shining life. The bible says in Proverbs 4:18 that, “…the good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God’s favour; the dawn gives way to morning splendor, while the evil man gropes and stumbles in the dark,” (TLB), which proves that your life in the year 2005 must shine brighter than it did in 2004.

You might be wondering why I have tagged this year “THE YEAR OF EVIDENCE”, it is because in this year, God is going to prove to the world that you have not trusted in Him in vain. He is going to give evidence of His continued presence in your life.

The dictionary defines evidence as “the facts, signs or objects that make you believe that something is true.” There was a time in the life of the Israelites when it seemed there was no evidence, no sign of God’s presence in their lives. Things were very bad – they lived in constant fear of their neighbours, the Midianites. Then the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon in Judges Chapter 6:

“The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, mighty heroe, the LORD is with you!

Sir, Gideon replied, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, The LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the midianites.”

- Judges 6:12 – 13. (NLT)

Isn’t it ironical, the angel said, “The Lord is with you!” yet Gideon says there is no evidence of the presence of the LORD with them.

Beloved, you might have asked the same question Gideon posed to the angel. Maybe you took a critical look at your life and it seems as if you have nothing to show for your steadfastness and diligence in service to God. I make bold to declare to you that the LORD is with you.

And I must warn you so that you do not fall into the trap that some fell into in using only material wealth as an evidence of the presence of God in their lives.

We can see that God was with these people all the while, but there came a time, a season for God to act in a big way. This is your season for God to act! God is set to make you a showpiece!

Be expectant, for God is a rewarder of those that hold unto Him diligently (Hebrews 11: 6). Don’t despair and don’t give up. The price for giving up is just too much.

Some people spoke disparagingly of God because they couldn’t wait for this season, they couldn’t wait for God to act:

“You have said, ‘what is the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying His commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins?

From now on we will say, “ Blessed are the arrogant.” For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm. Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and loved to think about Him.

They will be my people, says the LORD Almighty. On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and delightful child.

Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

- Malachi 3:14 – 18 (NLT)

From the above scripture, we can deduce a few things:

First, those that derailed did so because they thought riches were the only evidence of God’s blessings hence they declared that the arrogant and evil who get rich were blessed of God (v 15). David almost make this same mistake but the LORD straightened things out.

Secondly, those that feared the LORD spoke and act differently from those that did not (v 16)

Third, God recorded the names of those that feared Him, which means that God takes note of our actions and nothing escapes Him even if nobody notices, (1 Samuel 2:3).

Fourth, those that feared God loved to think about Him (v 16). This brings in the meditation dimension. It is important to rule our thoughts with God’s word. Joyce Meyer said, “Where the mind goes, the man goes.” Isaiah 26:3 says, “you will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (NLT)

Fifth, God spoke about a specific day when he will act and then it will become evident that those that feared Him had not done so in vain (v 18). He will clearly differentiate between the Godly and the ungodly.

Just like that special day came for Mephibosheth and David could do nothing but to favour him, and Mordecai, when the king could not rest until the book of remembrance was brought and he was exalted and promoted. Likewise, your own day has come!

This is your day! The year 2005 is your “day”! Keep your mind fixed. This scripture below summarises what God wants to do in you:

“… the LORD earnestly waits (expecting, looking, and longing) to be gracious to you …”

and the second part of the same scripture summarises what God expects from you:

“… blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who (earnestly) wait for Him, who expect and look and long for him (for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship)!”

- Isaiah 30:18 (Amp).

Beloved, God has been with you all along but in this year God will prove His presence in you in a big way!

Stay on top!

Israel Abam.
Setman

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