GOD IS LOOKING FOR YOU IN THIS GENERATION

GOD IS LOOKING FOR YOU IN THIS GENERATION

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

MAIN TEXT: Genesis 6:5-9; Ezekiel 22:30; 2 Chronicles 16:9.

KEY VERSE: "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..." — 2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV).

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Genesis 18:17-19; Exodus 3:7-10; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 14:2; Jeremiah 5:1; Acts 13:22; John 4:23.

DESCRIPTION:
In every generation, God searches for men and women whose hearts are available to Him. He is looking for people who will stand for righteousness, carry His presence, defend the truth, fulfil His purpose and become instruments of divine intervention in their generation. The question is not whether God is looking, but whether He can find you available.

INTRODUCTION

Every generation has its challenges, opportunities, spiritual battles and divine assignments. Every generation also has people whom God raises to become instruments of His purpose. When a generation becomes morally corrupt, spiritually weak and disconnected from God, the Lord begins to look for people who will stand in the gap and represent His interest on earth.

God is not short of power, wisdom or resources. He is the Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth. However, throughout biblical history, we discover that God deliberately looks for human vessels through whom He can reveal His glory, demonstrate His power and accomplish His purposes. He looked for Noah in a corrupt generation, Abraham in an idolatrous environment, Moses in Egypt, David among the sons of Jesse and the apostles in their generation.

The most important question confronting us today is this: When God looks at our generation, what does He see? Does He see people who are available, committed, obedient and willing to serve Him? Or does He see people who are consumed by worldly pleasures, personal ambitions and the pursuit of material possessions? Beloved, God is looking at you! You are not in this generation by accident. You are here by divine arrangement, and God expects you to make a difference.

1. GOD IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL STAND OUT IN A CORRUPT GENERATION

Genesis 6:5-9

The Bible introduces us to a generation that had become completely corrupt. Wickedness had multiplied, and the imagination of people's hearts was continually evil. The entire society was moving in the wrong direction, but one man attracted the attention of God: Noah.

Genesis 6:8 says, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

Notice that the Bible did not say that Noah found grace in the eyes of his generation. He found grace in the eyes of God. While others were pleasing themselves, Noah was pleasing God.

God is still looking for people who will not follow the crowd when the crowd is going in the wrong direction.

a. God is looking for people who will maintain their righteousness (Genesis 6:9)

Noah lived in a corrupt society, but corruption did not become his lifestyle. He refused to allow the behaviour of his generation to determine his relationship with God.

You can live in a corrupt environment without becoming corrupt. You can work among dishonest people without becoming dishonest. You can belong to a generation that has abandoned godly values and still remain faithful to God.

b. God is looking for people who will walk with Him (Genesis 6:9)

The Bible says that Noah walked with God. He was not merely religious; he maintained a relationship with the Lord.

God is not simply looking for people who attend church services. He is looking for people who walk with Him in their homes, workplaces, businesses and private lives.

c. God is looking for people who will obey Him when obedience is unpopular (Hebrews 11:7)

Noah built an ark when there was no visible evidence of the coming flood. His obedience was based on God's instruction, not public opinion.

There will be times when obeying God will make you look different from everybody else. Do not sacrifice your convictions to gain acceptance.

d. God is looking for people who will preserve their generation (Genesis 7:1)

Noah's righteousness became a channel of preservation for his household.

Your faithfulness is bigger than your personal life. Your children, family, church and community may benefit from your decision to walk with God.

2. GOD IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL STAND IN THE GAP

Ezekiel 22:30

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."

This is one of the most frightening statements in Scripture. God was looking for a man, but He found none.

Imagine a situation where God is looking for somebody to save a family, restore a church, intercede for a community or bring revival to a nation, but nobody is available.

The problem was not that God lacked power. The problem was that there was no available vessel.

a. God is looking for intercessors (Isaiah 59:16)

God is looking for people who will carry the burdens of others in prayer. People who will pray when others are sleeping, cry when others are celebrating and stand before God on behalf of their families and communities.

b. God is looking for people who will defend righteousness (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Our generation needs people who will speak for the helpless, defend the truth and refuse to compromise godly standards

Silence in the face of evil can allow evil to flourish.

c. God is looking for people who will carry spiritual responsibility (Galatians 6:2)

Christianity is not about living for yourself alone. We must learn to carry one another's burdens and support those who are weak.

d. God is looking for people who will not abandon their assignment (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Standing in the gap requires consistency. You cannot become an instrument of lasting transformation if you abandon your responsibility whenever things become difficult.

3. GOD IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHOSE HEARTS ARE AFTER HIM

1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22

When King Saul failed in his assignment, God announced that He had found a man after His own heart.

David was not the most obvious candidate in his family. He was the youngest, and he was attending to sheep when Samuel arrived to anoint a king.

But while David was overlooked by men, he was known by God.

a. God looks beyond outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7)

People may judge you by your appearance, educational qualifications, financial status or social connections. God looks at the heart.

You may not be the most celebrated person in your generation, but you can become a person of great value in the hands of God.

b. God is looking for people with genuine devotion (Psalm 42:1-2)

David developed a deep hunger for God. His relationship with God was not based on convenience.

God is looking for people who desire His presence more than His presents.

c. God is looking for people who are faithful in little things (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

Before David confronted Goliath publicly, he had fought lions and bears privately.

Your private faithfulness prepares you for public assignments. What you do when nobody is watching matters to God.

d. God is looking for people who will give Him their entire hearts (Matthew 22:37)

God does not want a divided heart. He wants people who will love Him wholeheartedly and surrender their ambitions, resources, gifts and future to His purpose.

4. GOD IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR GENERATION

Genesis 18:17-19

God spoke about Abraham and declared that He knew him so that he would command his children and household after him to keep the way of the Lord.

Abraham was not called merely to enjoy God's blessings. He was called to become a blessing to generations.

There is a difference between living in a generation and impacting a generation.

a. God is looking for people who will influence their families (Joshua 24:15)

Joshua made a declaration that his household would serve the Lord.

God wants men and women who will establish godly values in their homes and raise children who will know and serve Him.

b. God is looking for people who will influence their communities (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Salt must preserve, and light must shine. A Christian who cannot influence his environment positively has not fully understood his assignment.

c. God is looking for people who will raise others (2 Timothy 2:2)

Paul instructed Timothy to commit what he had learned to faithful people who would teach others also.

Your impact should not end with you. Raise people who will continue the work of God after you.

d. God is looking for people who will leave a godly legacy (Psalm 112:1-2)

The influence of a godly person can extend beyond his lifetime.

Do not live only for what you will acquire. Live for what you will contribute to God's kingdom and the generations coming after you.

5. GOD IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL SAY YES TO HIS CALL

Isaiah 6:1-8

When Isaiah encountered the holiness and glory of God, he became conscious of his unworthiness. But after God cleansed him, he heard the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"

Isaiah responded, "Here am I; send me."

God was looking for someone, and Isaiah made himself available.

a. God is looking for people who will recognise His voice (1 Samuel 3:9-10)

Samuel learned to respond to the voice of God. Our generation needs people who can hear God's instructions and respond with obedience.

b. God is looking for people who will overcome their excuses (Exodus 4:10-12)

Moses gave reasons why he was not qualified, but God reminded him that He would be with him.

Do not allow your weaknesses to become permanent excuses for rejecting God's assignment.

c. God is looking for people who will surrender their ambitions (Luke 9:23)

Following Jesus requires self-denial. You cannot insist on having your own way while claiming to be completely surrendered to God.

d. God is looking for people who will remain faithful until the end (Revelation 2:10)

God is not merely looking for people who begin well. He is looking for people who will remain faithful even when the journey becomes difficult.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: ESTHER — A WOMAN GOD POSITIONED FOR HER GENERATION

Esther 4:13-16

Esther was an orphan who became a queen in a foreign land. She might have thought that her elevation was simply an opportunity to enjoy royal privileges. However, when a crisis arose against the Jewish people, Mordecai challenged her to understand the purpose of her position.

Esther 4:14 says:

"And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Esther discovered that her position was not merely for personal enjoyment. It was an opportunity to become an instrument of preservation for her generation.

She could have remained silent, but she chose to act.

There are people in our generation whom God has positioned in offices, businesses, families, churches and communities for a purpose.

- God may have positioned you in your workplace to influence others for righteousness.
- God may have blessed you financially to support His kingdom.
- God may have given you a voice to defend the truth.
- God may have given you leadership opportunities to serve others.
- God may have given you spiritual gifts to strengthen His church.

Never mistake your position for your purpose. God is looking at you!

CONCLUSION

Beloved, God is looking for people in our generation. He is looking for another Noah who will stand for righteousness, another Abraham who will become a blessing to generations, another Moses who will confront oppression, another David who will defend God's honour, another Esther who will stand in the gap and another Isaiah who will say, "Here am I; send me." The question is not whether God can use somebody. The question is whether you are available.

When God looks at your family, can He find you? When He looks at your church, can He find you? When He looks at your community and generation, can He find you? Do not wait for another person to answer God's call. Make yourself available today. Let your generation remember that you lived, served, prayed, stood for righteousness and fulfilled God's purpose.

HE IS LOOKING FOR YOU IN OUR GENERATION!

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, make my life a vessel of honour and an instrument of Your purpose in this generation, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, give me the grace to stand for righteousness in a generation of compromise, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let my heart be completely surrendered to Your will and purpose, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from every distraction that will prevent me from fulfilling my divine assignment, in Jesus name.

5. Father, make me a man or woman who will stand in the gap for my family, church and community, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, empower me to influence my generation positively through my words, conduct and character, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let my gifts, talents and resources become instruments for the advancement of Your kingdom, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, raise me as an agent of revival, transformation and spiritual awakening in my generation, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to raise godly children and disciples who will continue Your work after me, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, when You look for someone to use in this generation, let my name and life be available before You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. I declare that my life will not be wasted in this generation.
2. I am a vessel of honour in the hands of God.
3. I shall not compromise my faith for worldly acceptance.
4. My generation shall experience the impact of my obedience to God.
5. I receive grace to stand in the gap for my family and community.
6. My gifts and talents shall make room for the fulfilment of God's purpose.
7. I shall not be a spiritual disappointment in my generation.
8. My children and generations after me shall inherit a godly legacy.
9. I shall fulfil my divine assignment and finish my course faithfully.
10. When God looks for a vessel in my generation, my life shall be available, in Jesus name.

FINAL CHARGE

You were not born merely to occupy space in your generation. You were born to fulfil God's purpose. Do not allow your generation to influence you away from God; become the person God can use to influence your generation for Him.

GOD IS LOOKING AT YOU. WILL YOU ANSWER HIM?