For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11). Its more than a fact, it is the truth, we were all created by God for a purpose and for a glorious destiny in Christ Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, this destiny is not limited to the pearly white gates of heaven, but a life of dominion and blessings while here on earth.
Yet for many of us, this seems a bit farfetched because throughout life we have been met with challenge after challenge and disappointment after disappointment. What could be the reason for this? Where are all those wonderful plans that God has for us? Afterall, He does not lie.
From the creation of man, the enemy has been on the agenda to steal, kill and destroy man and His destiny in Christ. While it is God’s desire to bless and increase us, the enemy is out like a roaring lion seeking to destroy and deplete us (Numbers chapter 22 verse 2 to 6). Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 6 verse 12 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but the evil and wicked hierarchy of the kingdom of darkness. Paul used the word wrestle to indicate that when it comes to the enemy, we are not friends or “frenemies” but rather we are in an all-out war.
While it is true that God created a destiny for each of us and made provisions for us to achieve it, we are still faced with a situation in which we must fight for it. Esther recognised this when she determined that she would not settle for the plans the enemy had for her and her people when she uttered the powerful declaration “If I perish, I perish!” (Esther chapter 4 verse 16). Through the Lord Jesus Christ we can be confident in our war against the enemy because in Him we are more than conquerors (Romans chapter 8 verse 37).
When going after our God ordained destiny, we must be like Esther who was not counting the cost of fighting back (the possibility of losing her life) but rather she counted the cost of not doing so (all she would have forfeited). When fighting for our destiny, we too must get to the place where we boldly declare, “If I perish, I perish!" with the determination that nothing will stop us from walking in our God ordained destiny. So, let strength arise in every heart that is timid and faint in the fight in the mighty name of Jesus!
When we choose not to fight for our God given destiny, we automatically default to the plans of the enemy. The word of the Lord says of the enemy:
1. He is an accuser of the brethren (Revelation chapter 12 verse 10) [he wants us to live under guilt, though Jesus came and freed us from the written code by which were guilty before God]
2. He is a deceiver and murderer (John chapter 8 verse 44)
3. He comes to steal, kill and destroy (John chapter 10 verse 10)
4. He leads the world astray (Revelation chapter 12 verse 9) [from God’s purpose and plans, God’s best]
Is this the type of person you want to determine your destiny? I think not!
It is time for us to truly decide whether we will accept defeat. A decision to not fight the enemy is an acceptance of defeat because our decision to not fight does not mean the enemy will stop fighting us. He will continue to fight until he achieves his objectives which never changes, and they are to kill, steal and destroy.
When we stop fighting it only makes the enemy’s job easier, so let’s keep giving him a mighty hard time! Persevere in faith and in the weapons of our warfare (2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 4). Let’s fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 12). God’s best is available to us, so let's not settle- if we perish, we perish, but we will keep going until we possess our destiny in Jesus Name!
Kerron P. Young is a Kingdom Empowerment Ambassador, who is passionate about seeing individuals find and walk in their God-ordained purpose. She is a mentor, singer and songwriter, an aspiring book writer, praise and worship leader at her local church and founder of Empowered for Purpose Jamaica an organisation dedicated to empowering youths to pursue their God-ordained purpose.