2021 New Year Message – By General Overseer (Pastor S. F. Edokpayi)

2021 – My year of getting to my DESIRED HAVEN

– Pastor S. F. Edokpayi (G.O.)

Psalm 107:29-30. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven”.

In 2020, the Lord told us not to remain stagnant where we were but to move forward. The Israelites were comfortable on mount Horeb and this impaired them from moving on. Then God spoke to then to move on. The Bible says, “The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: Turn you, and take your journey …”. – Deut 1:6-7. In verse 8 God said, Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

When God told them to move He had a goal for them. He was, by the promise though through some challenges, leading them to a destination. Verse 7 listed the challenges on the way. They were to conquer some mountains, hills, plains, valleys, by the sea and land to the river. The Israelites yielded to the commandment of the Lord to move forward. Verse 19 now says “And when we departed from Horeb ….”.

Just like the Israelites, no more stagnation, we are moving forward. Storms are natural phenomena. They occur at any time unannounced. They are destructive in nature. Some are so strong that if they occur on a sea they cause floods that can wipe away many houses and destroy properties. The air storm on land can be so strong to pull down big trees and big houses.

Some journeys in live may be difficult to embark on because of its nature. For example, taking a trip in an aeroplane requires a careful study of the weather situation especially the air storm. The weather must change and the storm cease before we embark on such a journey, else plane crash may occur. It is always the joy of the pilot if the storms are still and the weather is favourable. The Pilot will even announce the good weather in the plane while taking off. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” – Psa 107 vs 30.

Applying these to real life we are faced with all kinds of challenges in our journey of faith. In this year 2021, as we are already on the journey we need to map out our routes according to His will. All journeys are with different kinds of hills and valleys, wilderness and forests, they all lead somewhere. Some sojourners (in religion) do not know where their journey leads to. They do not know their way and so their destination is as well not known. But we know the way because Jesus (our Saviour) is the way. That means He leads the way and we follow Him by His Spirit.

In Psalm 107:29-30, He came to our rescue because of different threats (natural and spiritual) on the way. Verse 18-20 says “… And they drew near to the gate of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.”

We serve a listening Saviour who also has feelings of our troubles. Even in sickness He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. With all the storms on the way, He is with us as He promised.

Because God wants us to get to our desired haven, He makes the storm to calm so that the waves thereof are still – vs 29. There was a storm while Jesus was in the ship with His disciples. The storm generated panic among the disciples and they were terribly afraid. He created calmness by His commands. And there was peace on the troubled sea; they got to their desired destination – Mark 4:35-39. Wherever and whatever the storms on your way this year turn them over to Jesus as the disciples did. Since He created them they will obey Him.

Do you want to achieve the great desire in your heart toward a good goal, let Jesus lead the way for you by His Spirit? You will get there.

Our old song is relevant at this time: “We are able to go up and take the country, to possess the land from Jordan to the Sea. Though the giants may be on the way to hinder, God will surely give us victory” – Num 13:30.

The Prince of Peace will bring Joy to your life and home this year and beyond. All storms on the way that may want to prevent your smooth journey, I pray that they be calmed now, Peace, be still in Jesus name.