Stepping Into God’s Plan

5-9-10

 

Did you know that God has a perfect plan for your life?

 

If we want to step into the fullness of God’s plan we have to be what God wants us to be.

 

We can see God’s plan in the life of King David

 

In I Samuel 13:14 is says The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, 

 

In Acts 13:22 the verse says I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.

 

Samuel went to the house of Jesse and seven sons of Jesse passed before Samuel but he said the Lord has not chosen these.

 

He said do you have any other sons  -(just one more tending sheep)

 

The greatest value is not to be chosen by man but by God.     

 

1 Samuel 16:12-13

So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.(NKJV)

 

Samuel anointed David to be King long before King Saul was out of the picture.

 

The same way that Abraham was told to leave his land and to possess the land long before he had any property rights.

 

David started out as a psalmist but was promoted to King.

 

God is looking for those who will perform all His will. 

 

There may be a King Saul in your life. 

 

(Someone that does not recognize the call of God in your life.)

 

(Standing in your way)

 

The first time David publicly displayed his courage was against Goliath.

 

(God never promised there would be no battles)

 

King Saul felt threatened by David and sought to kill him.

 

David had opportunities to kill Saul but rather spared his life.

 

After the death of Saul David goes to Hebron in Judah.

 

II Samuel 2:4 say the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah

 

Notice that he is not king over all the land but Judah only.

 

There is always a progression to the plan of God in your life.

 

Judah means praise.  

 

David was willing to move to Judah and occupy it.

 

Praise proceeds victory.

 

Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.(NKJV)

 

Occupying new territory in the Kingdom correlates with our progression in worship.

 

I believe the first territory we are given is a land of praise.

 

It may have seemed insignificant to others the many hours David played on his harp and sang songs to the Lord.

 

People that don’t have the right heart before God don’t get promoted.

 

The Kingdom of God business is all about Him and not about the hidden agendas of men.

 

God is looking for vessels that He can flow through to accomplish His purposes.

David is occupying Judah, taking care of it---his only territory

 

2 Samuel 3:12

Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, "Whose is the land?" saying also, "Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you."(NKJV)

 

It’s wasn’t God’s intent that his influence be limited to Judah

 

Maybe He wanted to see how David would take care of Judah first.

 

Some may want to bypass Judah.

 

Some may want to stay in Judah.

 

Some may be satisfied to stay in the outer court experiences.

 

The fullness of God’s plan wants to take you further.

 

2 Samuel 3:21

Then Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.(NKJV)

 

David’s true heart’s desire was for a greater assignment.

 

It was a tremendous battle to take the remaining territory but possible because he occupied the land of praise.

 

2 Samuel 5:3

Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel.(NKJV)

 

Now David is positioned in a greater area of influence and

able to move forward with God’s plan.

 

Not an easy course but a worthwhile one.

 

 

David could have given up when he was running from Saul

 

David’s first action was to capture the city of David in Jerusalem.

 

When the Philistines heard about it they were threatened and attacked.

 

In three different battles he forced the Philistines out of Israel.

Life is never without battles.

 

Moving into new territory means that you will have to confront an enemy that occupies that territory.

 

Once David had established the safety of his kingdom he brought back the Ark of the Covenant.

 

From a place of praise in Judah to the habitation of God’s presence in Jerusalem.

 

David attempts to bring back the Ark the wrong way.

 

2 Samuel 6:8-9

And David became angry because of the LORD's outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?"(NKJV)

 

The Ark was taken to the house of Obededom three months and he was greatly blessed.

 

Sometimes there are sideways experiences that happen---we can either give up or do it with God’s ordained method.

 

David finds the right way to transport the Ark.

 

2 Samuel 6:13-15

And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.(NKJV)

 

Notice that David is wearing a linen Ephod that was prescribed for the Levites to wear.

 

 

There were not to wear anything that would cause sweat

According to Ezekiel 44:18

 

Worship is a ministry without sweat.

 

What was David most valuable accomplishemt.

 

Killing the giant

 

Winning many battles.

 

Occupying the territory

 

Or was it all a means to an end to accomplishing God will.

 

It’s all about God’s plan.

 

The ark was placed in a tent called the tabernacle of David.

                          (24 hours a day)

 

The tabernacle of Moses was nearby performing all of the ritualistic sacrifices.

 

Was the tabernacle of David something that God initiated and desired or was it just something David wanted to do.

 

Amos 9:11

"On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;(NKJV)

 

It was part of the reason that God gave David the territory.

 

How did God rebuild the tabernacle of David?

 

Jesus was tabernacled in the flesh from the seed of David.

 

Through His work and the atonement we have been made individual dwelling places ----invididual tabernacles for the ark-His presence to dwell.

 

Why do it seem so difficult to occupy new territory and more influence.

 

 

A lot of battles---but the battle is the Lords.

 

Separating ourselves from our highest calling causes stagnation and sideways experiences.

 

Being intent to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength means we are dedicated to occupy areas of praise.

 

It means we are willing to move into other areas to step into the fullness of what God has planned.

 

To see His indwelling presence occupy the hearts of men and women.

 

 

Part of loving your neighbor as yourself.

 

Was the most valuable thing that David achieved placed on winning the many battles?

 

Or was it bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem and enabling open worship to God and His presence for people to enjoy.

 

(What really got achieved during his life?)

 

What is really getting achieved in mine or yours?

 

Everything of value falls under Mark 12:30-31

 

Or was it bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem and enabling open worship for other people to enjoy.

 

Is our most valuable contribution willing battles or showing our light before men and introducing them to the light of the world.

 

Enabling them to enter into a worship relationship with God.