1 Samuel 7:1-17 (Click on reference to read text)
A heart following after God desires to do great things for God. We desire to see the Glory of the Lord magnified among the nations. David was such a man. As he found himself in a royal palace, he longed to build God a home of magnificence and splendor. A place the nations could come and worship the One True God. Yet, God said no... it was not a job He had for David.
Like David, there are times that God has said no to us in regard to a ministry, a seemingly Godly and wonderful opportunity, even a dream to serve the Lord in a particular way. When he says no, it is not easy, in fact it is crushing and devastating. We can choose to respond in several ways. We can mope, bemoan our circumstances, question God's voice and His timing, and grow angry. Why not us? Were we not good enough? Is there something intrinsically wrong with us that we are incapable of being used by the Father?
David could have responded any of those ways, but instead, he began to "prepare... for the house of God" (1 Chronicles 22:2). He began to gather all the supplies necessary for someone else to serve God in the way He desired to serve. He wholeheartedly pursued everything necessary for the task to be done... by someone else. He did not grow bitter, he grew stronger.
God chose someone else because "David was a man of bloodshed" (1 Chronicles 22:8). However, the shedding of blood was acted because of obedience to Christ... he was commanded by God to do so. Yet, these actions, prevented David from building His dream... a temple for the Most High God.
When God says no, it is so easy to believe the lies of Satan. Something must be wrong with us, we must have heard God wrong, we must.... you fill in the blank. However, those are lies. God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives, and we are not commanded to do everything there is for the Lord. Sometimes, it is someone elses's job. When God says no, we must stay the course, remain faithful where we are, walk in obedience to what God is commanding us to do here and now, help other Christian's along the way so that they can do mighty things for the kingdom. Whether by prayer, or practically helping other believers, we must choose to be obedient to our purpose.... and yes, YOU have a purpose!!
"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
When you are broken hearted remember, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Psalm 126:5-6
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
While You Wait
Numbers 9:15-23 (Click on reference to read text)
There are times in all of our lives where we see the deliverance of the Lord. We are removed from bondage and slavery, but instead of the promised land, we find ourselves wandering around in the desert. Maybe, it is because of a sin in our lives (like the unbelieving Israelites - Hebrews 3:15-19 ) or maybe it is because God needs to mold us and grow us before we can take the promised land. Whatever the reason, we can rest knowing that, not only is He in the desert with us, but He is leading us where He desires us to go.
The Lord made His will clear to Israel by the movement of the cloud and the fire. Moses did not doubt God's directions, no matter how long the cloud lingered in one spot. Moses worked on God's time table, not his own. God's presence never left Israel stranded. They did not always know where they were going or even when they were going, but God's presence remained constant (vs.15).
When we seek the Lord's direction, sometimes He does not always answer right away. I know it is hard, but sometimes God has us camped out in places for a long time. Sometimes it seems like we should be moving, but God keeps us stationary. It is in these times that we must trust the Lord and His timing. Many times throughout this passage it says, "At the Lord's command, they would either go or stay" (vs. 18f). Notice it does not say, "when it seemed best to them, when they got desperate," or "when they got impatient/restless" they moved on. They responded at the Lord's command.
There is one key that we must always remember... whether by day or night, the Israelites were always ready to move (vs. 21). They waited on the Lord, but in a constant state of readiness to follow God whenever He moved. We may be camped out in the desert instead of dwelling in the promised land, but we must seek God faithfully while we are there. We must spend time in His Word, praying, learning the sound of His voice, learning the "feel" of His presence, so when He is ready to move us on, we will know, listen and obey.
While baking away in the desert, don't lose heart... "Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14
There are times in all of our lives where we see the deliverance of the Lord. We are removed from bondage and slavery, but instead of the promised land, we find ourselves wandering around in the desert. Maybe, it is because of a sin in our lives (like the unbelieving Israelites - Hebrews 3:15-19 ) or maybe it is because God needs to mold us and grow us before we can take the promised land. Whatever the reason, we can rest knowing that, not only is He in the desert with us, but He is leading us where He desires us to go.
The Lord made His will clear to Israel by the movement of the cloud and the fire. Moses did not doubt God's directions, no matter how long the cloud lingered in one spot. Moses worked on God's time table, not his own. God's presence never left Israel stranded. They did not always know where they were going or even when they were going, but God's presence remained constant (vs.15).
When we seek the Lord's direction, sometimes He does not always answer right away. I know it is hard, but sometimes God has us camped out in places for a long time. Sometimes it seems like we should be moving, but God keeps us stationary. It is in these times that we must trust the Lord and His timing. Many times throughout this passage it says, "At the Lord's command, they would either go or stay" (vs. 18f). Notice it does not say, "when it seemed best to them, when they got desperate," or "when they got impatient/restless" they moved on. They responded at the Lord's command.
There is one key that we must always remember... whether by day or night, the Israelites were always ready to move (vs. 21). They waited on the Lord, but in a constant state of readiness to follow God whenever He moved. We may be camped out in the desert instead of dwelling in the promised land, but we must seek God faithfully while we are there. We must spend time in His Word, praying, learning the sound of His voice, learning the "feel" of His presence, so when He is ready to move us on, we will know, listen and obey.
While baking away in the desert, don't lose heart... "Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14
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