24/06/2020
TIME AND CHANCE
Ecclesiastes 9:11; Romans 9:16
Introduction:
From our texts, we shall identify three factors that are important for success in life. They shall form the bases of our requests in prayer.
Abilities do not guarantee Success in life – Eccl.9:11
We are familiar with the place of abilities in the struggle for success
Speed is important in races (and life has become terribly competitive)
Strength is important in battles (and life is really a battle)
Skill/ smartness is important in business
But sometimes, what counts goes beyond these. People do their best and still fail.
Only God can guarantee Success
Many times, success is a function of “time and chance”
That is, happening to be in the right place at the right time
Things have their time under God (Eccl. 3:1, 11). When your time comes, no one can stop you!
Asiko ni gbogbo nkan; Igba lonigba nlo
Some people have problem with “time” in their life
Chances talk about opportunities. It is one thing to have abilities, it is another thing to find opportunity. May the Lord surround you with the opportunities you need in Jesus name.
There is a God in heaven who owns and controls time and chances in life.
Another factor for success is “divine mercy” – Rom. 9:10-11, 16
Even desire and efforts have their limitation
No one deserves any good apart from the mercy of God
God’s mercy always makes a difference
Conclusion
As good as abilities are, they do not always guarantee success. Time, Opportunities and God’s Mercy are the important factors for success in life.
Prayers
Oh Lord, I have seen people blossom in their time, bring my time Lord. My time for glory and success, let it come and not delay IJN
Oh Lord, I am waiting on you. When will my time come? When will you smile on me and answer me?
Father heal time in my life. Let time no longer work against me IJN
Bring the time of famine to an end in my life, let my season of refreshing appear IJN
Father, open the doors of opportunities for me. Surround me with opportunities that will lift me up.
Let opportunities appear for my business; for my home; in my career etc.
Open the opportunity that will let me blossom financially; that will move me forward and change my status
Have mercy on me O Lord. Let your mercy speak over my life today.
Beyond my efforts or desires, let the mercy of God bring me forth into the limelight, no more obscurity
I need your mercy to terminate the season of struggling and fruitless labours in my life
Psalm 69:13-17. Deliver me Lord and lift me up according to the multitude of your tender mercy; do not let the waterflood and the pit overpower my soul.
