Feeling Unprepared

1 Samuel 13: ¹⁹ Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” ²⁰ So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. ²¹ The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

²² So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

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After filling out a mountain of paper I was now an employee. I was actually making real money! My celebration didn’t last because my boss began asking me questions that I couldn’t answer. I felt so unprepared. Everyone else around me had received proper training from some great institutions. I on the other hand barely made it out after being kicked out twice. “How will I succeed?” I thought to myself with dread.

• When I look at my tools compared to others I feel inadequate.
• When I look at my resources compared to others I feel under-dressed.
• When I look at my help compared to others I feel unsure.

Sometimes I have been in situations where I felt I was clinging to a floating tree in the middle of the ocean. Inadequate resources, pitiful tools and no help in sight made me feel like I was unprepared to face the battle. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “Be still and know that I am GOD.”
• GOD says to me “MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light.”
• GOD says to me “I will be with you even unto the end of the world.”

GOD wants me to rely on HIS power and might. HE desires that I come to HIM when I feel inadequate, overwhelmed or plain old scared. HE understands that I will have fear, but I shouldn’t let the fear consume me. HE says “Trust in ME” and when I do, my fears go away and it ALWAYS works out the way GOD intended.

• Do you have fear?
• Are you adding fear to the situation?
• Can you stop looking at what you have and look at what GOD has?
• Won’t you begin seeking HIS kingdom instead of fretting about this one?

Why is “that” person in charge?

1 Samuel 12: ²² For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. ²³ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. ²⁴ But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 

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“Slick” was the one word that I could describe this particular boss.  I had just switched departments and my prior manager was a dream.  She was clear in her direction and collected input from her staff. Not this guy. He was unsure of where we were going and on occasion he would stretch the truth. Okay, he would lie all the time!

He would adjust his words to whatever audience he was in front of. “What a con artist” I thought to myself. “I wish I had my old boss back” I sighed.

• My complaints about “that” person are very unflattering.
• My jabs about “that” person reflect negatively on me.
• My negative thoughts about “that” person seem to take up too much of my energy and distract me from the truth.

When “that” person sins I put on my judgment hat saying, “they can’t possibly be GOD’s child” so I refuse to pray for them. I mean look at what “they” are doing. They can’t possibly deserve prayer.

• GOD says it is a sin for me to hold back prayer, especially for my enemies.
• GOD says HE would hold it against me if HE prompted me to pray for someone and I refused.
• GOD says HE wants me to teach “everyone” the way that is good and right.

In order to serve the LORD faithfully with all my heart, I will need to pray for those whom I feel do not deserve my prayer. In fact, I need to question why I feel they don’t deserve my prayer in the first place. GOD wants me to consider the great things HE has done for me and lavish those thoughts on others.

• Do you have strong negative thoughts about “that” person?
• Are you judging “that” person without understanding them?
• Can you release your judgment about “that” person and pray for them?
• Won’t you get your life back by letting go of the negative thoughts and focus on what GOD is doing for all?

Faith Over Fear

1 Samuel 11: ² But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”

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⁴ When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 

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⁶ When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. ⁷ He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one.

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“I’m going to try to get rid of you” my boss said smugly. These words were amazing and shocking to me because I was one of the highest performers in the company. This time felt a little different than the many times before when I ran up against arrogance. Instead of ducking in a quiet corner of the company I felt it was time to go.

My sense of peace was met with many challenges of family and friends asking “what are you going to do?” Fear set in and during my exploration. “Why LORD?” I cried out.

• When fear sets in I blame GOD instead of listening to HIM.
• When fear sets in I allow myself to be conquered by the enemy.
• When fear sets in I cannot see how GOD will deliver me.

Fear stifles me to the point where I can see the headlights headed straight at me yet I can’t jump out of the way of the speeding truck! I then want everyone else to feel miserable too, so I spread my “woe is me” to anyone who will listen. BUT GOD wants me to get up!

• GOD wants me to tell HIM my “woe is me” story and be done with it.
• GOD wants me to give my pity party to HIM and move on.
• GOD wants me to spit my poisonous words out so I can carry HIS sweet message of love and salvation.

Many shocking situations have appeared in my life and many more to come. GOD wants me to not be so shocked and remain steadfast to HIS ways, HE wants me to trust in HIM rather than working under my own pitiful power.

GOD delivers in HIS way. Fortunately for me HIS way is mighty!

• Are you oppressed?
• Does it seem like you are not getting anywhere?
• Can you see GOD’s deliverance is through faith in HIM?
• Won’t you put your trust that HE is concerned about every detail of your life?

GOD blesses people through broken people

1 Samuel 10: ⁹ As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. ¹⁰ When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 

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“Go on a mission’s trip” was the sense that came over me, but my excuse was I didn’t know the Bible well enough so I almost didn’t go.  “Go tell the neighborhood about JESUS” was the thought that popped in my head, but I almost didn’t go because the crowd wasn’t interested and besides, I sin just as much as everyone I would talk to. Why would they listen to me?

• Sometimes I make excuses so I won’t have to serve others.
• Sometimes I make excuses so I won’t have to take the hard road.
• Sometimes I make excuses so I won’t have to change.

Impossible situations seem to pop up in my life and my blindness can’t seem to find any way out of them. Fear, worry and doubt enter my heart, then my own plans kick in and it seems like things get messed up further. BUT GOD has taken my heart into account when developing the plan for me.

• GOD put’s situations in my face to change my heart.
• GOD places circumstances in my way so I can only depend on HIM and HIM alone.
• GOD installs people in my life to keep me praying instead of depending on my own wit.

GOD owns my heart and HE sees the junk I want to add to it.  HE placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT in it so I would always turn back to HIM, no matter how many times I run away from HIM.  HIS love is abundant and HIS faith is everlasting. HIS grace is sufficient and HIS mercy is unlimited.

• Is your heart hard?
• Are you blind to your hard heart and see no way out?
• Can you drop your plan and allow GOD to grow you HIS way?

GOD knows the desires of my heart

1 Samuel 9: ¹⁹ “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. ²⁰ As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”

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Feeling rather defeated, I trudged back to my apartment to eat dinner alone and get ready for the next day. Work was boring and repetitious and I had been turned down for one job and the other company I really wanted to work for went on a hiring freeze. I settled my mind, got my mail and noticed a message on my answering machine.

“No one calls me” I thought to myself living in this strange town.  The message referenced my mail. When I opened the envelope in question, I got a sense this would be a life changing job. I returned the call and began a new adventure.

• GOD knows the desires of my heart.
• GOD knows exactly what I can handle.
• GOD knows exactly what HE wants for HIS wonderful plan for me.

Several times in my life I wanted something and GOD said “Not quite” meaning I only knew what my desire was from the surface. GOD knew something more about my desire and took it a step further.  HE developed the perfect plan for me and I could not have ever thought of the path HE put me on.

• GOD’s plan is far deeper than the surface plan I can develop.
• GOD’s plan takes into account my disappointments, wants and needs to form a perfect road for me.
• GOD’s plan seems like a dead end at times, but always, always comes through.

In spite of my doubts and others, GOD has a plan that is etched in stone for me. HE said “No one can pluck you out of MY hand” meaning HE will never, ever let go of me. Since HE is holding onto me, HIS plan for me won’t fail. All I have to do is trust.

• Is your trust low?
• Do you think GOD has forgotten you?
• Can you open your eyes, ears and heart to see HE is working in and on your life?
• Won’t you give your desires to GOD so HE can develop a better plan for you?

Do I really want what I want?

1 Samuel 8: ⁴ So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. ⁵ They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

⁶ But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. ⁷ And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 

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With my first lottery ticket in hand, I waited anxiously to see the results. I prayed “Please, please, PLEASE let me win the lottery!” It was quite a memorable experience because each of my numbers was off by one or two.

Years later, on a mission’s trip to another country, I sat worried over all of the money I had earned. I was quite wealthy so my thoughts of worked piled up. The man I sat across from only had a hut, some cows and a lemon tree. He was at peace and I was discontented. I got what I prayed for.

• Sometimes I pray for something that is not good for me.
• Sometimes I want my way instead of wanting what GOD wants for me.
• Sometimes I beg GOD to allow me to touch the fire.

Looking back on my tears of desire I realize some of my disappointments were really silly and some were against GOD’s ways. I pouted when I couldn’t fulfill my lustful desires and I pouted when others seemed to be able to. Little did I know that GOD was protecting me.

• GOD wants me to look at HIM as my provider.
• GOD wants me to see HIS treasure as something to seek after.
• GOD wants me to desire HIM and HIS ways over any material gain I could ever receive on this planet.

The Israelites sought power, fame and wealth. Deep down I wanted these as well, but when I received them I found the top of the mountain I dreamt of didn’t have green lush pastures rather dead grass filled with fear, anxiety and lack of compassion. I had to become cold, callous and driven to remain at the top.

GOD wants me to listen to HIM and be compassionate to all, dropping my prejudices toward groups and providing GOD’s love where needed.

• Are you asking for something GOD doesn’t want you to have?
• Do you think you would be better off spiritually if you received the thing you ask for?
• Won’t you let go of “that” thing and let GOD provide for you?
• Can you operate under the assumption that if GOD wants you to have something, nothing can stop you from getting it?

Do not stop crying out to the LORD!

1 Samuel 7: ⁷ When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. ⁸ They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” ⁹ Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.

¹⁰ While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.

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One of my peers became my boss and all of us groaned.  He was a sneaky one who prowled around desks looking for the next idea he could take credit for. Our groan was because this was yet another person placed above us who could care less about us.

I found my energy to be low and my innovation hit rock bottom. Someone pulled me to the side and said, “You still have to perform even in difficult situations.”

• Sometimes when things look difficult I want to give up.
• Sometimes when circumstances seem against me I want to stop trying.
• Sometimes when situations seem bleak I want to throw up my hands and surrender.

It seems like when I say to GOD, “I will follow YOU”, I face the most difficult times. Israel had just pledged their commitment to GOD and threw away their idols. No sooner than they uttered those words, they were faced with total destruction. BUT GOD had a different plan.

• GOD wants me to give my fears to HIM by crying out to HIM with what I am fearful of.
• GOD wants me continue to cry out to HIM so I can put total trust in HIS ways and timing.
• GOD wants me to place my faith in HIS plan knowing the battle is already won.

I worry most when I work on my own plans under my own energy. I mean if I haven’t hear from GOD then my efforts seem unsure. Only when I cry out to the LORD for an extended period of time, do I hear from HIM and can gain clarity in my actions.

HE doesn’t always work on my worries right away, but HE always works on them right on time!

• Are you facing a large challenge?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you write down your specific worry and give it to GOD?
• Won’t you seek HIS power instead of exhausting yours?