Your Destiny Pursues You

In Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message Bible), God says, "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out-- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."  Note that He says "ALL", so there is nothing that He has not planned for you but even still leaves the choice to step into the plan up to you.

I want to tell you about an older guy named Mattathias who lived around 167 BCE.  His nation was being overrun by a new king and times were difficult to say the least, so Mattathias moved his entire family to the small town of Modein which is on the road between Joppa and Jeruselum.  Now Mattathias was not a person of real significance at the time, history calls him a lesser priest of the line of Jehoiarib.  However, he was on a collision course with his destiny even though he thought moving to a small town would provide safety.

So, who was this king?  The Greeks had come to power under Alexander the Great.  At Alexander's death, four generals under Alexander were trying to gain power by 167 BCE - one of these generals was Antiochus.  Antiochus was taking over Judea in a way that the lives of the people were of no matter - to kill them meant nothing.  At the same time, he desecrated the temple and destroyed the menorah.  Pigs were sacrificed on the altar and a statue of Zeus was erected in the temple.

You might say that Mattathias reacted like most anyone would today - move your family to a place that might not attract attention.  However, when your destiny is pursuing you, you can run but you can't hide.

Antiochus sent his soldiers to Modein and Mattathias, the priest, was selected to lead the pagan ceremonies in the temple.  Mattathias had arrived at a decision point with his destiny with, I am sure, no idea of the full consequence of his decision.  He refused to have the temple desecrated.  He and his five sons killed all the soldiers and started a revolt against Antiochus.

Mattathias was killed roughly a year later but his son Judas (later named Maccabee - The Hammer) arose to lead the revolt and ultimately won.  As the temple was restored and the menorah repaired, they found that there was only enough oil for one day and it would take eight days before additional oil could be made.  Again, destiny, the plan of God, was at work and decision was made that it was better to light the menorah - at least, the light of God would shine forth immediately.  The menorah burned for eight days on one days supply of oil, a miracle, which is now celebrated as Hannakah.

Mattathias was not so different that you or I - concerned with protecting his family for the events going on in the world.  However, God had a plan for him and for you, that changed his life, his family's lives and a nation - a nation that still celebrates the resulting miracle today.  God's plan for him (his destiny) pursued him and God plan (destiny) is pursuing you as well.  There comes a decision point where you choose to end running and step in the direction of that destiny.  Your current position, age, location, etc. does not matter to destiny and destiny brings inheritance.

Choose to stop running and let your destiny catch you.  Rededicate the direction of your life to God's plan to your destiny that is in Him.

*The story of Maccabee and Hannakah have historical significance and even give us the proverbial saying, "line in the sand."  For more information on Hannakah refer to http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm and the two books of Maccabees.