We are going to encounter trials. We are going to have rough times. We are going to be face to face with tough decisions. I am not really going through a tough time right now, but I can assure you that I have had my fair share. I am actually loving life, feeling blessed by God and His presence in my life. I am being stretched and spoken to and am falling deeper daily in love with my Savior. There is something though, that I have noticed in my personal life and feel the need write about...
Read 1 Chronicles 14:8-11: "8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The LORD answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”
11 So David and his men went up..."
I read this passage many times and honestly noticed nothing spectacular, then all of the sudden the words nearly jumped off the pages! I saw a plan, a pattern that is absolutely necessary for my very own life! Let me first explain where I am coming from....when faced with decisions of any kind I haven't had a plan of action. I NEED a plan of action! I started thinking about different ways I have dealt with this in the past and this is some of what I came up with:
*We can leave God out of the picture and do whatever we want to do.
*We can consult our friends and get guidance from others about what we should do.
*We can pray to God about our problem, then still do what we think is best.
I have to say, I have done everyone of these things! But David, precious David, has set before my very eyes the only way to face a tough decision or any adversity in my life! Look at what he did:
1. Verse 8, "David heard about it and went out to meet them". Trusting in God completely, he boldly walked straight into the face of danger. He didn't shy away from an uncomfortable circumstance, he headed toward it, knowing that his God was big enough for any challenge he might face.
2. Verse 10: "So David inquired of God". While moving forward in obedience, David went straight to the Lord. He did not stop to talk to his brothers or friends, He kept moving in the same direction, only consulting the One that could truly help him.
3. Verse 10: "The Lord answered him". I am not sure of the time that passed between David consulting God and him getting an answer, the important thing to note is that there is no information of David moving forward before he received and answer from the Lord. I am afraid that I am guilty far too often of not waiting patiently for an answer and moving forward on my own! One thing that we can absolutely be certain of is that God will answer us when we call. It may not be the words we want to hear, when we want to hear them, but God is not in the business of ignoring His beloved.
4. Verse 11: "So David and his men went up". He was obedient! He did exactly what the Lord asked of him. He did not turn away from the things that scared him. He did not do only what he might get praise and recognition from. He did not do what he was told by someone else or even what he may have thought was a better plan. He simply followed the instructions of his Lord.
My husband and I are at a crossroads in our lives. We could be faced with a very big decision ahead of us. I am so very thankful for David and the example that he set for me so many years ago. How precious is it that God cares so much about me and the challenges that I face in my life, that He would show me this scripture? It is his desire that I follow just as David did; walk bodly ahead, seek the Father, wait on the answer, and then obey. Wow! That is powerful!
He cares for you the same way. He wants the same of you. There are many things that you may be afraid of and many decisions that need to made in your life today. Would you join me in following David's example?? I can guarantee the power of the Holy Spirit coming alive in your life if you do! Let's do this dear friends...
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