God’s Unchanged Purpose

The purpose of God does not change. You are graced to be whoever God called you to be, and do whatever God called you to do. “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee… To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:16, 18).

This Scripture highlights God’s purpose for our lives. No matter what happens in society, no matter what’s going on in the church, God’s purpose for our lives does not change. If a man does not have a purpose, he is lost. According to author Thomas Carlyle, “The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder—waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.” A recent report reveals that 70% of Americans who do not have a purpose in life are either self-medicating or taking pharmaceuticals to keep calm or rid themselves of sadness or depression. I don’t care how dark it gets, there should be light in your life because God’s purpose does not change! So, what is God’s unchanged purpose for the believer?

1. To open your eyes so you might see that the God we serve is the true, living God, and through Him is the only way to be saved;
2. To turn from darkness to light, or to turn from your evil ways;
3. To turn from the power of Satan to the power of God;
4. To receive forgiveness of sin;
5. To receive an inheritance.

We can’t walk away from our assignments. Daniel continued to do what God called him to do and remained in his purpose, regardless of being punished into the lion’s den. Daniel’s enemies were destroyed simply because they came against him as a man of God. You may feel like you’re in the lion’s den, but use Daniel as your example. He didn’t forget his assignment. Pastors, don’t walk away from your assignment by leaving the church or your post because God is not finished with you yet. You have to finish your assignment! He’s counting on you because He knows what He placed in you; He’s graced you to be able to fulfill everything that He called you to do. We can trust God’s unwavering dominion in our lives because He rescues and He delivers—He heals and restores us back to the light. We are the light to the world, but sometimes we hide our light because we have taken on the cares of the world, the anxiety, the fear, the depression. We can become disturbed, anxious, and scared, but all we really need to do is rest and trust in our Father. His love and purpose for us never changes.