The goal for 2024

 

Zechariah 6:8 ESV

Then he cried to me, “Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.”

There are purposes of God to be fulfilled in 2024. And each of us under God has specified assignments from heaven in this year.  We must recognise that.  Not anybody is supposed to do anything.  The purpose of this message is “O God I must put your spirit at rest wherever I go in 2024 in Jesus's mighty name “.

When Absalom died there was a task of delivering the message properly and effectively to him. 2 Samuel 18:19-21 ESV Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and carry news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.”  And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.”  Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran.

Now Ahimaaz has zeal, has pedigree (he is the son of the high priest), plus a track record, a reputation for success, for courage. He is the one who with Jonathan risked death to bring a lifesaving message to David when Ahithophel’s counsel could have led to his death.  But he zealously errs here wanting to be the one to run. The one to bring the news of success.  And by the permissive will of his commander he actually does run, and outruns the man with the assignment.  But what is the result? He was unable to deliver. David is unmoved. In fact, he was asked to stand and wait for the proper man. No reward for him. Did you hear that? 2Sa 18:22  Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?” When the proper man delivers the message and does it in full leaving nothing out, he brings the king to tears. Have you a track record of success in previous years? Do you have a good pedigree? Find out for sure what assignment you have and don't fight aimlessly. Call to Him He will show you Jas1:5. Those working by permissive will cannot do the work thoroughly.  They do some part but the hard unpleasant unpopular parts will get missed out.

Now I want us to understand that the fact that we have been handpicked by God above others for these assignments does not mean we have already succeeded.  No.

David handpicked a valiant soldier to crush an insurrection.  In fact, he handpicked him to replace Joab 2 Samuel 19:13 ESV And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’”

That was a great honour.  Now he gave him a specific assignment 2 Samuel 20:4-6 ESV Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.”  So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him.  And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.”

The assignment was specific and time bound.  We also have specific and time bound assignments in this year.  But you notice that David's spirit was not put at rest by his chosen soldier because he delayed beyond the set time. Say to yourself I shall not delay any assignment given me by God this year.  Now the business of the kingdom must be accomplished.  It mustn't suffer loss. It cannot.  Understand if God is not at rest, you can be replaced.  I will show you 2 scriptural precedents, one each from old and New Testament Esther 4:14 ESV For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time?

Acts 1:20 ERV Peter said, “In the book of Psalms, this is written about Judas: ‘People should not go near his land; no one should live there.’ Psalm 69:25 And it is also written: ‘Let another man have his work.’ Psalm 109:8

Your place, your house, may be vacant but your assignment must be completed, if necessary by others. Amasa died when he could not put David at rest even though that wasn't David's intention.  Esther was warned she and her father's house would perish.

So how do we set God’s spirit at rest.  Is it simply by zeal?  We have seen in Ahimaaz that the answer is no.

Zechariah 6:5 ESV: And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth “

Present yourself before God.  Come privately, come corporately and deliberately consciously tell God I present myself to you now. Today.  Every day. This year. As an instrument of righteousness, a living sacrifice, a slave of holiness. 

As we do so let all pride be washed off. All the ashes of yesterday's service be removed, all the strategies that have served their divine purposes but have now expired be expunged in Jesus's mighty name. 

As you present yourself receive divine direction and Rhema. That word which becomes alive in you which is the word come too you transforms you.  As you present yourself ask and receive God’s pattern as Moses did when he presented himself at the mount, as Paul when he went into Arabia and presented himself. Gal 1:15-17  But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. When that word comes you are fully assured God has spoken. Faith from the Word of God builds convictions which drives our persuasions and reflected in our actions to the extent that our faith is not dead. Convictions about What to do where to do how to do who to do with as when Ahab received for assignment. Convictions about conduct and lifestyle also. Present yourself to God at the end of each assignment. Jesus Christ did so in Jn 17 at the end of His earthly ministry and on the cross. Present also a detailed report to the church which is what Paul and the apostles did

Present yourself and receive the abundant supply of the Spirit of Christ Zechariah 4:6 ESV Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Human zeal can mislead and fall short, but by His Spirit we will set God's heart at rest wherever we go this year.  In the chapel, in our families, in our business.  When our families succeed the chapel succeeds, when our businesses succeed the chapel succeeds. If our families fail the chapel fails.

Zec 6:15  And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Let us pray.