(1 Samuel 17:51-53)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 49 of the series and Part 21 of the life of David.
Yesterday I talked about the fact that David, a teenage boy, was thrusted into the national spotlight while he was running an errand for his father. David was supposed to be taking lunch to his brothers and then head back home. But a routine errand turned into a life-changing event. God highlighted an opportunity and David was graced to make the most of it. He maximized his moment. Powerful things happen when God’s timing lines up with earthly opportunity. Many times, when we want the two to line up, they are not lined up and we are forced to exercise Godly patience.
In this case David was not looking for the spotlight, notoriety, or a fight for that matter. All David was doing was what his father asked him to do. But something funny happened on the way to lunch. David heard Goliath defy the only true God and he was led, by the Holy Spirit (who had recently enveloped him during his spiritual coronation), to fight the giant.
Let me reiterate the fact that every Soldier in Saul’s army had the opportunity to fight Goliath, but none of them took it. Partly because they were afraid, but more importantly, because this was David’s assignment. Let me explain. Many preachers criticize Moses for striking the rock twice and claim that had he not tempted God he would have led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. However, I firmly believe that the job of leading Israel into Canaan was Joshua’s and the Lord was not going to allow Moses to fulfill Joshua’s assignment. Moses had and assignment and the grace to perform it. So did Joshua. Moses could not do what Joshua was called to do. Nor vice-versa. Along the same lines, some criticize Peter for not ministering to the Gentiles. One can make the argument that Peter was prejudiced or a racist, however, ministering to the Gentiles was not Peter’s assignment, it was Paul’s. Peter had the grace to minister to the Jews and then Paul came along, with the grace to minister to the Gentiles.
Getting back to this story, God was not going to allow any of the other Soldiers to step into David’s moment. David might have thought that he was there for an errand, but God had bigger plans. Before the foundations of the world the Lord knew what David would do that day and the grace was on him to accomplish it.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. What God has for you is for you.
a) No one can take what God has destined for you. Likewise, you can’t take what God has destined for others. Understanding this, you are able to celebrate the diversities of giftings and callings without jealousy.
b) You don’t ever have to envy what God is doing through someone else, because they have their own assignment and you have yours. Celebrating them does not diminish you in any way.
c) God has called you to run your own race. Everything you need to maximize your purpose and potential is either already IN you or it is available to you. But if you try to run someone else’s race you will need things God won’t give you, because they are not yours to have.
d) The day you rest in WHO YOU ARE CALLED TO BE is the day you free yourself from comparison and envy.
2. The Lord can change your life in a moment.
a) There is nothing God can’t do. He can elevate you in an instant. One Word from God can change your life around.
b) God can elevate you in an instant. But He will not elevate you before your time. The day David fought Goliath was HIS TIME. God will not bless you with certain things before the proper time, because He knows that some things given prematurely can distract, derail, or even destroy you.
c) Stand fast, trust God, live by faith, and know that every blessing ordained for you will be manifested in its appropriate time. Being transparent, this is easier said than done for me. When I know I am called to do something, and God tells me to wait on His timing, it is one of the hardest things to do for me. But in the fullness of time it shall come to pass!
3. The grace of God on you can activate the grace on others.
a) When David killed Goliath it caused the Israelite army to break out of their stuper. It’s like they WOKE UP and they attacked the Philistines. God used David to activate the grace on their lives.
b) As a believer you must realize that you are contagious! God can use you to activate and release things in others. The more God’s grace and power flow through us, the more it is stirred up in everyone we come in contact with. So enter into this day knowing that you are an agent of change!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I am called for such a time as this! What You have for me is for me. I appreciate what You are doing through others, but I refuse to allow envy or strife to cause me to lose myself by chasing someone else’s assignment. I know who I am and I have the discipline to pursue my own purpose. Therefore, Your abounding grace is made available to me to accomplish everything You have destined me to accomplish while I am in the land of the living. You bring me before great men and women. You shift and elevate me. And what You do in me helps to activate change in others. I am an agent of supernatural change! I am contagious. When people come in contact with me, something is activated in them that causes them to operate in their own divine assignment. Which is why I am ready to enter this day and leave a mark in this world that will not easily be erased! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
