(FROM RUTH'S FACEBOOK POST YESTERDAY)
“Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.” 1 Chronicles 17:2
These were the words spoken by the prophet Nathan in response to David’s idea to build the LORD a temple. But why did Nathan speak these words? He didn’t inquire of the LORD as to whether it was something that David should do. So why did he say it?
Could it be because when David set out to defeat Goliath, God was with him? Perhaps it was because when Saul was seeking David’s life God protected him because He was with David? We can’t forget that it could have been the fact that every battle David went into as head of Saul’s army ended in victory because God was him. Yes, we just read about how David desired to bring the Ark back to its rightful place, and yes he didn’t do it the way God had instructed but rather how he saw fit. After a tough lesson and one man’s death he learned and brought it back the right way so surely God was still with him. Maybe it was because Nathan was looking at how God had (past tense) worked in David’s life and seemed to bless everything he set out to do.
So, when David shares his idea for a temple Nathan doesn’t see why David shouldn’t go forward with this idea as it is not selfish but comes from a desire to give God that which David feels God deserves. God has been with all that David has done so why wouldn’t he be now?
We quickly read though that Nathan’s instructions, the one’s he gave without any inquiry to the LORD, were not accurate. They were wrong!
I have been talking to a friend the past few days about how to disciple, shepherd, guide the hearts of other believers. It is very easy for me to think that I can see what is right and good for them. It is easy for me to look at the lives of others and think I know what they need to see and hear or what they should or shouldn’t be doing based on what I see and hear in their lives. But without inquiring of the LORD I truly am the blind leading the blind. My intentions can be good and I can truly believe that I speaking truth but without inquiry I truly do not know. Only God, who is seated enthroned above the Earth, who has the Earth as his mere footstool, can truly see and know what others need to hear, what others need to learn, what paths others need to take and how to get them there.
If I am not careful I can encourage (and sometimes push) others down a path that God did not intend for them to take and I can do it all in the name of the LORD with sincere intentions. After all when David desired to bring the Ark back it was with good intentions, good motives. Who did he inquire of? His officers, men close to him that he trusted and then the people around him, the whole assembly. Why did the people agree with this, because it seemed right to them (1 Chronicles 13:4).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (on what seems right to you); in all your ways acknowledge him (inquire of him), and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (we saw this happen with Uzzah)
In all our ways we need to acknowledge, we need to inquire of the LORD so that we can have proper guidance for not only our lives but also the lives he puts into our paths of life. Let us learn from Nathan that we should never assume things in our lives or in the lives of others even if it makes sense to us and seems like a good, selfless, God glorifying idea. Go to the one who has the Master Plan and find out what is really best.
Remember God usually does things in ways that are so opposite of how we would do them in the first place. Would you have freed the Israelites by using the 10 plagues? Would you have led them to an impassable sea only to part it? Would you have used a prostitute to help bring victory over Jericho? Would you have used a talking donkey to speak truth to Balaam? Would you have reduced Gideon’s army to a mere 300 men in order to bring about victory against a fierce enemy? Would you have used a shepherd boy to defeat a giant with a mere sling and a stone?
Our ways are not his ways. His ways are so much better. His ways are full blessing. Let’s never assume we know how God is going to work in the lives of others, and us but in all our way acknowledge him. Then we will be victorious and what a great feeling victory in the LORD is when it is done His way from the get go.
These were the words spoken by the prophet Nathan in response to David’s idea to build the LORD a temple. But why did Nathan speak these words? He didn’t inquire of the LORD as to whether it was something that David should do. So why did he say it?
Could it be because when David set out to defeat Goliath, God was with him? Perhaps it was because when Saul was seeking David’s life God protected him because He was with David? We can’t forget that it could have been the fact that every battle David went into as head of Saul’s army ended in victory because God was him. Yes, we just read about how David desired to bring the Ark back to its rightful place, and yes he didn’t do it the way God had instructed but rather how he saw fit. After a tough lesson and one man’s death he learned and brought it back the right way so surely God was still with him. Maybe it was because Nathan was looking at how God had (past tense) worked in David’s life and seemed to bless everything he set out to do.
So, when David shares his idea for a temple Nathan doesn’t see why David shouldn’t go forward with this idea as it is not selfish but comes from a desire to give God that which David feels God deserves. God has been with all that David has done so why wouldn’t he be now?
We quickly read though that Nathan’s instructions, the one’s he gave without any inquiry to the LORD, were not accurate. They were wrong!
I have been talking to a friend the past few days about how to disciple, shepherd, guide the hearts of other believers. It is very easy for me to think that I can see what is right and good for them. It is easy for me to look at the lives of others and think I know what they need to see and hear or what they should or shouldn’t be doing based on what I see and hear in their lives. But without inquiring of the LORD I truly am the blind leading the blind. My intentions can be good and I can truly believe that I speaking truth but without inquiry I truly do not know. Only God, who is seated enthroned above the Earth, who has the Earth as his mere footstool, can truly see and know what others need to hear, what others need to learn, what paths others need to take and how to get them there.
If I am not careful I can encourage (and sometimes push) others down a path that God did not intend for them to take and I can do it all in the name of the LORD with sincere intentions. After all when David desired to bring the Ark back it was with good intentions, good motives. Who did he inquire of? His officers, men close to him that he trusted and then the people around him, the whole assembly. Why did the people agree with this, because it seemed right to them (1 Chronicles 13:4).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (on what seems right to you); in all your ways acknowledge him (inquire of him), and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (we saw this happen with Uzzah)
In all our ways we need to acknowledge, we need to inquire of the LORD so that we can have proper guidance for not only our lives but also the lives he puts into our paths of life. Let us learn from Nathan that we should never assume things in our lives or in the lives of others even if it makes sense to us and seems like a good, selfless, God glorifying idea. Go to the one who has the Master Plan and find out what is really best.
Remember God usually does things in ways that are so opposite of how we would do them in the first place. Would you have freed the Israelites by using the 10 plagues? Would you have led them to an impassable sea only to part it? Would you have used a prostitute to help bring victory over Jericho? Would you have used a talking donkey to speak truth to Balaam? Would you have reduced Gideon’s army to a mere 300 men in order to bring about victory against a fierce enemy? Would you have used a shepherd boy to defeat a giant with a mere sling and a stone?
Our ways are not his ways. His ways are so much better. His ways are full blessing. Let’s never assume we know how God is going to work in the lives of others, and us but in all our way acknowledge him. Then we will be victorious and what a great feeling victory in the LORD is when it is done His way from the get go.
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