A Time To #17

Last time we looked at the season of embracing and how we need to take advantage of the opportunities God presents us.  Today we turn our attention to the opposite of this season.  When should we refrain from embracing things in life and how will that help us grow closer to God?  Find out below.

For this lesson we return to the life of David.  He had multiple opportunities to embrace things that could lead to success in his life.  Yet we find that David refrained from embracing opportunities as much as he embraced them.  

When David was about to face Goliath, he had the opportunity to take on Saul's armor.  This was the armor that Saul had used to kill his thousands. However, David didn't want anything to do with it.  Even though David is one of the greatest warriors in history, it wasn't his calling or purpose to carry the sword at that time.  This teaches us that there are some things in life we are destined to do/carry.  However, we need to let God lead us for the right time and place to wield that opportunity.  David's patience led to a downed Goliath and then he pounced and took up the sword to slay the giant.  Our patience will lead to absolute victory because we'll operate with what God wants us to operate when he wants us to operate.  (1 Samuel 17)

Later in life, David found himself at odds with Saul.  In this season, David spent most of his days on the run and living in caves.  On one of those days he was in position to take the life of Saul, but he didn't do it.  Even though David knew he was called to be king, he knew that he was going to claim the throne by spilling the blood of Saul.  He was going to let God take care of Saul, and God did and David became king in his time.  Once again, patience led the day as David had to withhold his carnal desire for retribution against Saul and reprieve from Saul's relentless pursuit.  Like David, we'll have the opportunity to get out of God's will and plan for our lives so that we can advance ourselves.  Our plan and the opportunities we devise might seem good, but if they aren't checked by God they could very well lead to our downfall.  If we trust God, he'll lead us through everything we face and get us to the point of embracing our calling.  (1 Samuel 24)

Finally, once David was living in his fulfilled calling as the king of Israel, he didn't forget who had brought him to his promise.  Even with all of his victories and smart choices, David always asked God before he went into battle.  When God said yes, David pursued.  When God said no, David waited. This humble and patient mindset allowed to David to strengthen himself in his calling once he was established.  When we get to a point where we are living in  our calling, we can't forget God.  In every decision we make, we must turn to God to ensure that our choice is the right one.  If we do, we will continue advancing in our calling and find we flourish in service to the One who called us. (2 Samuel 5)

Do you find this season relates to your life?  Are you in a place where you see options for your life but are unsure if they are what God wants you to do?  Try this exercise below and let us know how it helps you.

For the next week, any decision you make that relates to your calling or major pursuits in life, ask God for guidance before doing anything.  You may not hear an audible voice or see a miraculous sign, but listen for the still small voice inside of you leading you to the appropriate choice.  That's God and He's on your side.