He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3
What do early civilizations look for when they settle into a new territory? They would look for a water source or a river. They knew that if they settle next to a river, the river would bring livelihood and agriculture. The running water would irrigate their crops and cattle. It could also serve as a means of transportation downstream. If man were to prosper, he would have to look for the river and settle along its banks. The river will not look for man for it is fixed and immovable, man will have to look for it. Similarly the will of God is fixed and settled in heaven, man would have to bend his will to settle along the flow of God's will in order for him to prosper. God is sovereign, He has made plans and has set in place principles in which the world may operate. The weather may be unpredictable, it could bring rain or famine, but the river will always be a reliable supply for life. Our circumstances may change, it could be good one day, and bad on another, but as long as we search out God's will and live in it, everything will eventually be alright.
What do real estate investors look for as the first, second and the third most important criteria in a worthy real estate investment?…………. First, its the location, second, its the location and third, the location. A good piece of real estate derives its value almost entirely from its location. Everything about the real estate is about its location. Man cannot create value in the real estate apart from its location. Hence, a good piece of real estate cannot be manufactured; it can only be discovered. The real estate investor must make all effort to discover a good location. He must not be distracted by the design of the building; its peripheral features or even its price however attractive it may be. He has to be fiercely focused to search out a good location.
God has determined the flow of the river, He has predetermined where the "good locations" are. Hence, we need wisdom to discover what the will of God is. We need to understand the ways of God and obey Him. By doing so, we are like a tree planted by the "streams of water that yields its fruit and the leafs does not wither." The Psalm 1:3 also says that whatever he does will prosper. Lasting prosperity comes not from our limited ability and insights. Success comes when God reveals to us His will and when we obey Him single-mindedly. Only God knows the future, a bad location now could be a priced possession some years in the future. Whom will God reveal His will to? Apostle Paul prayed for the church, "we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects." Colossians 1:9,10. God reveals His will to anyone who is willing to trust Him and obey Him in ALL that He says. Before we set out to work, we must do all to understand the will of God. Else we may be wasting our resources and years of effort.
Jeremiah, a prophet of God in the days when Judah was about to be conquered by Babylon, was given an instruction from God to purchase a field. As war was imminent, land prices in Judah were plummeting. However, God told Jeremiah, 'For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land”’ Jeremiah 32:15. God foresaw the future of the Israel and instructed Jeremiah to purchase land. Jeremiah's family benefitted greatly from this revelation. Jeremiah not only heard God's wisdom, he is obedient and faithful to do what God said.
Tang Choon Keng (CK Tang) was born to a Presbyterian Pastor in Swatow, China at the turn of the 20th century. He went from a peddler of hand-made Swatow lace to become a $500 million dollar enterprise. After years of hard work, he made enough money to invest in a land at the corner of Orchard and Scotts roads in 1958. The site was considered a bad location as it faced the Tai San Ting Cemetery. However, he saw it as a revelation from God that this site would one day be the hotspot of a thriving commercial centre. He constructed the landmark CK Tang Department store at 310 Orchard Road at a cost of $50,000. Today, the site remained a magnificent testimony of a man after God's vision. CK Tang worked hard with God's laws as His guiding principles, he said, "Honesty is my foundation." He instituted the policy of not opening the department store on Sunday so that His staff could worship God.
We as God's people must do all to know what the will of God is before we set off. How do we receive the revelation of God's will? We must love Him with all our hearts, meditate on His laws and be faithful in all respects of our work life, family life and social life. As we plant ourselves by the river of God, we will surely prosper in all seasons of life.
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