Godly Pursuit

SOMEONE said, “Purpose does not make life easy; it makes life possible.”

DANIEL and his friends knew their primary purpose in life was to please God, so when they were offered meat dedicated to idols, they knew it would be a breach of trust to eat it.

Before they were offered the meat, God had given Daniel favour before their overseer.

(Daniel 1:9)

And Daniel said to him, Please, test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Then let our appearance and the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s finest food be observed and compared by you, and deal with your servants in accordance with what you see.” (Daniel 1:12-13)

IT IS insufficient to know the plan of God; you must also pursue His Will.

Pursuit

So when they approached the overseer for permission to be tested, it was a done deal—God had made a way of escape.

YOU must understand that no temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]. But God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy].

He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. (1 Corinthians 10: 13)

For every challenge you face, God has a way of escape, but you'll need to find it.

HANNAH found it when she made a vow to give her son to Him. (1 Samuel 1:11)

Suddenly, her wait came to an end.

My prayer for you is that God will give you the right words to say in prayer. He will hasten the end of your wait.

DAVID found a way of escape when he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?”

And He answered him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives].” (1 Samuel 30:8)

The wife of one of the sons of the prophets sought a way of escape when she saw Elisha and did not know what to do. (2 Kings 4:1-7)

Anytime you seek help from God, you're asking for a way of escape.

YOU can quicken it by making vows to Him and seeking help from another believer through prayer, as Esther did.

God will make your life possible by showing you a way of escape.

When God grants you favour, he creates a distinction.

FAVOUR created a distinction in Nehemiah’s life when he stood before King Artaxerxes.

The king allowed him to return to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes also put his systems and structures in place to support him. (Nehemiah 1 & 2)

GOD granted his children favour before they left Egypt. They had asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing. (Exodus 12:35-40)

‘Favour creates a distinction’

WHEN Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego refused to bow to the king’s image, they knew they were a people of purpose.

They said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you on this point. If it be so, our God whom we serve can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king.

But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!” (Daniel 3: 17-18)

They understood that their lives were made by design. They were created for a purpose, so they would not misuse their lives.

When you pursue the purpose of God, the things in your life will align with God’s Will for your life.

Bringing it Together

The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose—Myles Munroe.