God’s Will for Our Lives – 2 Warnings and 1 Direction

Have you ever wondered if you were living out God’s will for your life? David had to contend with this issue as he found himself, once again, hiding out in a cave in 1 Samuel 24. Who should enter the cave in which David and his men have taken refuge?  None other than King Saul. Coincidence? Or God ordained?

The Bible even says King Saul, there with 3,000 of his men, has gone into the cave to relieve himself (vs. 3a ESV). Now, with Saul in such a compromising position, David’s men who were with him in the innermost parts of the cave, urged David to take Saul’s life by quoting Scripture to him. “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you’” (vs. 4a ESV). They were convinced this meant this was the time for David to kill Saul and become their king. David had a choice to make. Should he kill Saul or wait on God?

COINCIDENCE DOESN’T ALWAYS EQUAL GOD’S PROVIDENCE

David went with a sword with the intent of killing Saul, but then, David came under conviction and refused to kill Saul. His conscience wouldn’t let him do this terrible thing to God’s anointed king. Our feelings do not dictate God’s will. We should seek guidance and wisdom in the Bible. Psalm 119: 105 says, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (ESV). How often do we just go about acting on our feelings about a situation rather than consulting God’s Word or praying about the matter?  In David’s case, this coincidence proved to be a test. Would he kill Saul, or would he wait on God’s timing?

RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO TAKE MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS

Like David, we should let God decide about all matters. After all, we are much better off when we follow His will and not ours. This simply wasn’t the time God had set aside for Saul’s death. God’s will never goes against God’s way. The Bible isn’t going to name the person we should marry or the job we should take, but it will guide us as to the kind of person to marry or the kind of job we should take. Always go to God’s Word when you are in doubt about anything. Three points of wisdom come from this.

Justin reminded us about the message David wrote in Psalm 57. There were three truths that allowed David to wait. These apply to us, even all these years later.

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GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES

• Just as God called David, He has called us to our purpose. For Justin, it is to be God’s shepherd of His sheep. We have to trust that God knows what He is doing. It is within this trust that we are able to wait. Romans 8:28 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. It is a good one for us to memorize. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (ESV). David was the anointed king, but this wasn’t his time yet. He had to wait and trust God in the waiting. Learning to wait on God is a spiritual discipline.
• In Psalm 57:3, 10, David reflects on the faithful love of God.  He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me (vs. 3 ESV). For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds (vs. 10 ESV). When we doubt God’s faithfulness, Justin reminded us to look to the cross of Christ. God chose David to be the King Israel needed. God was preparing David to take this position and to make wise decisions because He is always faithful to fulfill His purpose for each of us.
• Psalm 57:7 tells us David proclaims his confidence in God by singing His praises. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! (ESV). Now, David is confident in his waiting. Waiting is not doing nothing. It is active and is approached with a posture of trust.

When we put our faith and trust in God as David did, we, like David can see His purpose or will for our lives. We can see how much He loves us, and then, because of His great love for us, we have the ability to remain steadfast, just as God is. We can trust God to be exactly who He says He is because we have learned of Him by remaining in His Word and learning of His character. What a joy it is to sing His praises!

So, are you in a waiting period? Are you trusting God with your life or are you leaning on your own understanding? There is a huge difference.

Justin ended with this quote by Joby Martin, The only thing harder than waiting is wishing you had. Dwell on that thought this week.

Blessings, y’all!

It truly is amazing that we can find just what we need when we need it.  Blessings!