The annointed leader
1 Samuel: 23:4 Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand."
Many people are very confused about the direction and purpose of their lives. Thats why books on purpose are mostly best sellers and have sold millions of copies. But why are we so confused? Is it because we never ask for directions? Or that we are seeking for directions and purpose from all the wrong sources?
When Davids men questioned his plans to go and help the people of Keilah, I guess David too must have been confused for a moment. Afterall everyone unanimously agreed that it was a bad idea. Maybe David thought that he had understood wrong, his family and friends were all telling him the opposite of what God had placed in his heart. If David always stepped out to do things based on the popular vote then he probably would have often missed the mark of Gods plan and will.
We find in the above verse that David inquires once again from God. Why inquire a second time? Wasn't the first time clear enough? I believe the protest of the people may have confused David for a moment, but in his confusion He goes back to God for clarity. The one who chose him, called him and annointed him always knows best. The answer of God never differed from the first time and so we understand that the popular vote never rearranges the plans of God, our parents don't decide our purpose, nor our friends but God who created us. So unless we value intimacy with the Lord Jesus, we will often be very confused about our calling and direction for our lives.
Through our intimacy with God we also need to take hold of Gods word that He reveals to us. God can easily through His power lead and convict the hearts of men to follow you but we need to first fully embrace the word He gives to us and be ready to follow. If you wholeheartedly follow God then God will raise up followers to stand with you.
People often pray only in times of need but shouldent we rather pray each day for Gods direction?
I have stepped out in faith with God on several occasions when He gave me a word and although my family at the time didn't understand or were confused but yet in the process, God moved in their hearts and they have supported those plans with all their heart. We must have intimacy with God so we can find real purpose and direction but also so that people following may find direction too.
1 Samuel: 23: 11-12 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant." And the Lord said, "He will." 12. Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?" And the Lord said, "They will."
We can often feel secure around friends and family, we know they will be there for us when we need them. Sometimes we go as far to depend on those we have helped over the years to be there for us if and when we need them is case of crisis in our own lives.
But you may aggree with me that often we are dissapointed by the very people we once showed kindness to. We may have been there to encourage and even stand by them through thick and thin but they distance themselves in your time of need.
Here's David, who has just helped the people of Keilah and rescued them from the enemy and now God says that the people Keilah would simply surrender him to king Saul. But why? Because when it comes to tough times 80 percent of people will put there own survival first. You can never have absolute security in people, that's a fact. We need to love all people but never trust and hope in all people. Your inner circle of trusted friends may always be very small, small enough to count with ten fingers and even then I wouldn't put too much hope in them. But God is worthy of our absolute trust and hope. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
The wonderful good news is 1 Samuel: 23:14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.
David helped Keilah but after that he simply moved on, securing himself in the perfect care of the Lord. Sometimes when we hope too much in people and they fail us we get deeply hurt and wounded. What if we simply loved people but put all hope in God. Don't let your hope ever migrate from God to people.
Heres a beautifu verse of scripture to close with Psalm: 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble .
He is not a fair weather friend, He who called you, chose you and annointed you is ever present even in troubled times.
©christcenter2018
Many people are very confused about the direction and purpose of their lives. Thats why books on purpose are mostly best sellers and have sold millions of copies. But why are we so confused? Is it because we never ask for directions? Or that we are seeking for directions and purpose from all the wrong sources?
When Davids men questioned his plans to go and help the people of Keilah, I guess David too must have been confused for a moment. Afterall everyone unanimously agreed that it was a bad idea. Maybe David thought that he had understood wrong, his family and friends were all telling him the opposite of what God had placed in his heart. If David always stepped out to do things based on the popular vote then he probably would have often missed the mark of Gods plan and will.
We find in the above verse that David inquires once again from God. Why inquire a second time? Wasn't the first time clear enough? I believe the protest of the people may have confused David for a moment, but in his confusion He goes back to God for clarity. The one who chose him, called him and annointed him always knows best. The answer of God never differed from the first time and so we understand that the popular vote never rearranges the plans of God, our parents don't decide our purpose, nor our friends but God who created us. So unless we value intimacy with the Lord Jesus, we will often be very confused about our calling and direction for our lives.
Through our intimacy with God we also need to take hold of Gods word that He reveals to us. God can easily through His power lead and convict the hearts of men to follow you but we need to first fully embrace the word He gives to us and be ready to follow. If you wholeheartedly follow God then God will raise up followers to stand with you.
People often pray only in times of need but shouldent we rather pray each day for Gods direction?
I have stepped out in faith with God on several occasions when He gave me a word and although my family at the time didn't understand or were confused but yet in the process, God moved in their hearts and they have supported those plans with all their heart. We must have intimacy with God so we can find real purpose and direction but also so that people following may find direction too.
1 Samuel: 23: 11-12 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant." And the Lord said, "He will." 12. Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?" And the Lord said, "They will."
We can often feel secure around friends and family, we know they will be there for us when we need them. Sometimes we go as far to depend on those we have helped over the years to be there for us if and when we need them is case of crisis in our own lives.
But you may aggree with me that often we are dissapointed by the very people we once showed kindness to. We may have been there to encourage and even stand by them through thick and thin but they distance themselves in your time of need.
Here's David, who has just helped the people of Keilah and rescued them from the enemy and now God says that the people Keilah would simply surrender him to king Saul. But why? Because when it comes to tough times 80 percent of people will put there own survival first. You can never have absolute security in people, that's a fact. We need to love all people but never trust and hope in all people. Your inner circle of trusted friends may always be very small, small enough to count with ten fingers and even then I wouldn't put too much hope in them. But God is worthy of our absolute trust and hope. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
The wonderful good news is 1 Samuel: 23:14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.
David helped Keilah but after that he simply moved on, securing himself in the perfect care of the Lord. Sometimes when we hope too much in people and they fail us we get deeply hurt and wounded. What if we simply loved people but put all hope in God. Don't let your hope ever migrate from God to people.
Heres a beautifu verse of scripture to close with Psalm: 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble .
He is not a fair weather friend, He who called you, chose you and annointed you is ever present even in troubled times.
©christcenter2018
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