The Search for Direction Series - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

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The Search for Direction Series

Part 1

The Right Path

Proverbs 3

·        5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

·        6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,

Intro: One of the most common prayer requests that I get is prayer for direction.

People everywhere are in desperate need for guidance and instruction for life.

Our theme this year is “Following Jesus”.

If there’s ever been a need for godly, biblical wisdom in order to know God’s will and pursue His plan, it’s now!

A. The Unreserved Trust - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

The phrase “whole heart” is found in the Bible 13 times.

Man is notorious for being “half-hearted” when it comes to spiritual things.

Trusting in God is really not trust if it is not with “all thine heart.”

When your heart is fill of doubt and questioning God’s wisdom and providence, that’s not trust.

B. The Unreliable Tendency - …lean not unto thine own understanding.

For some reason, our default fallback is to lean on our own understanding.

This is one of the biggest reasons why we miss God’s will.

We lean on our own understanding, and the truth is, we don’t understand ANYTHING.

We have no idea what God wants or what God desires, yet we continue to fumble around in the dark.

ILLUSTRATION: It would be like punching in the destination in your GPS, and then when it give you the route, you take a screwdriver and dismantle the GPS to try and figure out how it came up with that route.

If we only do what we understand, we won’t leave the front porch.

C. The Unselfish Test – In all thy ways acknowledge him…

I call this the unpopular test because it’s difficult to acknowledge God in all our ways.

What does it meant to “acknowledge him?”

·        Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

ACKNOWLEDGE: to recognize; to admit; to confess

We must acknowledge His Person; His Preeminence; His Purpose; His Plan; His Parameters; His Precepts; His Path

Meaning, we recognize the SUPERIORITY of Him; His right to dictate to us our life.

Acknowledging Him has a whole lot with acknowledging who we are.

Acknowledge His Lordship; His Authority.

Acknowledge that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways.

We have no problem acknowledging what we want. What we prefer.

What we feel we should do. What we think.

But to acknowledge God in everything we do is the challenge.

This is where most Christians fail the test.

They dictate to God what they want, and then when it doesn’t happen, they claim it wasn’t God’s will.

D. The Undeniable Truth - …and he shall direct thy paths.

The unspoken truth is simply this: without God, you’re going to be lost.

Without God’s leadership and guidance, you are going to have NO IDEA where to go and what to do.

If you take these two verses, and reverse engineer them, this is what you get:

·        If you DO NOT trust in the Lord,

·        And if you DO lean unto your own understanding…

·        And if you DO NOT acknowledge Him in all thy ways,

·        He will NOT direct your path.

The first step to finding direction is to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.

The secret to God directing your path is to start out on the right path.

Let’s be crystal clear – there is NO RIGHT WAY that excludes Jesus Christ.

There is A WAY, but that is not THE WAY.

·        Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

·        Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The Bible has a lot to say about “the way.”

Jesus is “the way.”

John 14

·        4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

·        5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

·        6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

·        Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The Christian life is called “the way.”

·        Mark 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

I love this verse because Jesus told him to “go thy way” and he chose to follow Jesus “in the way.”

That should be every one of us!

The only way we should be interested in should be following Jesus IN THE WAY.

The Christian life is all about making THE WAY THY WAY!

Getting saved is repenting of THY WAY and choosing to follow Jesus in THE WAY.

Proper parenting is called “the way.”

·        Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The correct, biblical doctrines of the Bible are called “the way.”

Acts 18 

·        25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

·        26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Here is the problem: we are all gone OUT of the way.

Everybody that has yet to be born again is OUT OF THE WAY.

Romans 3

·        10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

·        11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

·        12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

God went OUT OF THE WAY to save those of us that were OUT OF THE WAY.

This is where we get the term “lost.”

·        Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Mankind today is searching for answers.

We live in a very confused and deceived society.

There are over 8.2 billion people in the world today, and most of them have no idea why they are here.

They are being born, going to school, getting married, having families, working jobs, but have no direction.

·        Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

There are three basic groups of people illustrated in Luke 15.

1.      The Silver was Lost – It was lost and didn’t know it and didn’t care

2.      The Sheep was Lost – It was lost and knew it but didn’t know how to find its way back

3.      The Son was Lost – He was lost and knew it and knew how to get back

You are one of these four people today.

·        In need of direction, but don’t know it.

·        In need of direction, you know it but don’t know where to start.

·        You have been shown the right direction, but you’re not obeying it.

·        You have found your direction and you’re pursuing it with all your heart.

When God created man and put him in the Garden, he was anything but lost.

He had a home, a job, a position of authority and an intimate relationship with God.

But when he sinned, he lost the one thing that people today are seeking: Purpose.

His initial reaction was fear, shame, vulnerability, becoming withdrawn, confusion, guilt and failed experiments.

The biggest hindrance to finding direction is failure to admit that you are LOST!

I. The Condition of the Lost

·        vs. 7 “…the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked…”

God created man perfect, and pure, and in an environment of peace and prosperity.

When a person is unsaved, or backslidden, their condition is anything but perfect, pure and peaceful.

Satan is a master of confusion and pollution.

He distorts, distracts, destroys, detracts and dilutes what God has given and what God has in mind for you.

He specializes in deceiving, confusing, frustrating, depressing, distorting.

He cometh but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10)

There must be an honest understanding of your lost condition.

The denial and lying has to stop.

·        The Ethiopian eunuch said, “How can know lest some man should guide me?”

·        The publican said, “Be merciful to me a sinner!”

·        The thief on the cross said, “…for we receive the due reward of our deeds…”

II. The Challenge of the Lost

·        7 “…and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons…”

They started trying to make it work.

They attempted to create a situation that would cover the reality.

Their efforts to “fix” the problem was inadequate and pitiful.

Imagine how hard it must have been for them to sew fig leaves together.

They had to make a needle. They had to find and make some kind of string.

They worked and labored and struggled just to come up with something that would hide their situation.

The world’s solution is “fake it until you make it.”

People today spend more time propping up their failures and mistakes than they do finding direction.

Their solution was temporary at best. No long-term solution.

God told the nation of Israel that he was sick of their weak and feeble efforts to fix their problem.

Isaiah 1

·        13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

·        14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

·        15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

There is nothing you can do to fix it.

The problem is bigger than you can handle.

You need God to help you!!

III. The Choice of the Lost

·        22 “…man is become as one of us, to know good and evil…”

They now knew the difference between good and evil.

They came to a fork in the road, and needed to make a choice.

When you are confronted by the fact that you are a sinner, and that God is the answer, you’ve got 2 choices:

Hide or Hearken

·        Genesis 3:8 “…they heard the voice of God…and hid themselves…”

This morning, you can run FROM God, or you can run TO God.

There are only two directions that you can take.

There are only two paths.

There are only two choices to make:

·        The path of life, or the path of death.

·        The path of right, or the path of wrong.

·        The narrow way, or the broad road.

For the unbeliever, it’s a path to heaven, or a path to hell.

For the believer, it’s either toward God, or away from God.

Conclusion: God put it as plain as possible in Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Part 2

(personal testimony)

Watch it here:

Part 3

He Shall Direct Thy Paths

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I. The Promise that He is Giving – “…and he shall…”

A. The Conditions of the Promise – in all thy ways acknowledge him

In this verse, we see “thy ways” and “thy paths.”

These two words are not the same.

WAYS: derek deh’-rek - way, path, road, journey, manner,

PATHS: ‘orach o’-rakh - way, path, road, passing of life, way of living

At first, I was confused.

They both seem to mean the exact same thing.

But they are not the same Hebrew word.

Then I realized the significance.

Nothing that God chooses is the same.

Once He directs it, once He picks it; once He chooses it, everything changes.

He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.

There’s the life you live without God, and then there’s the life you live WITH God.

There’s the way you take, and then there’s the way He leads you to take.

Trust me – there is a difference!!

There’s the girl you pick, and then there’s the girl HE picks.

There’s the job you pick, and then there’s the job HE picks.

There’s the church you choose, and then there’s the church HE chooses.

When God leads, and when you let Him do the leading, IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME JOURNEY!!!

B. The Confidence of the Promise – he shall

When God says, “he shall”, you can mark it down – HE SHALL!

God’s greatest desire is to lead His people.

• Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

C. The Culmination of the Promise - he shall direct thy paths.

The results of this promise is HE WILL DIRECT THY PATHS.

He won’t quit halfway through.

He won’t abandon you after you start trusting Him.

• Hebrews 13:5 …for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

He won’t leave you on the side of the road, stranded and lost.

He will direct thy paths. That is a promise!!

II. The Person that He is Guiding – “…and he shall direct thy…”

God is interested in YOU.

God is committed to leading YOU.

One of the problems with people today is they are worried about what everybody else is doing.

They are worried about where everybody else is going.

We need to understand that God has a path for us – a personal path.

Customized, divinely orchestrated with a sovereign purpose for our life.

He had a path for you before you were born.

• Isaiah 49:1 …The LORD hath called me from the womb;

You will be held responsible and accountable for YOUR life; not everybody else’s.

• James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

• Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

• Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

• Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

III. The Path that He is Guaranteeing – “…he shall direct thy path…”

When I read the word “direct”, I see that the phrase has several aspects.

DIRECT: to be right, be straight, be level, to be straightforward, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth; 

We will examine this concept in greater detail in another message.

But this morning, I want to look at just one other place where we find this concept.

Turn to 1 Kings 6

In 1 Kings 6, Solomon is building the temple.

In verse 9, he covered the house with boards and beams of cedar.

Verse 9 says he finished it.

Again, in verse 14, it says that Solomon built the house, and finished it.

But he was not finished.

Verse 20, he built the oracle in the house and covered it with gold.

Verse 21, he overlaid the house within of pure gold.

In verse 22, he overlaid the whole house with gold.

He build cherubims 15 feet tall out of olive wood and overlaid them with gold.

Look at verse 28 and 35.

• 1 Kings 6:35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

The word FITTED in verse 35 is the same Hebrew word used in Proverbs 3:6 “he shall direct.”

When I read that verse, and compare it to Proverbs 3:6, I notice several things:

A. The Care that is Applied

I’ve never worked with gold, but I can imagine, and you can too.

The cherubims and palm trees and open flowers were carved into the wood.

To fit gold over that would be time consuming.

It required great detail, patience and skill.

That is what God is doing in our life – every day, when He directs our path.

He’s not randomly picking out a path and half-heartedly telling us to take it.

He has chosen the path that is PERFECTLY fitted to us and to His plan for our life.

God is interested in the DETAILS!

• Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

A God that numbers the very hairs of our head IS INTERESTED IN THE DETAILS of our life!

• Matthew 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

B. The Covering that is Admired – that gold hid the wood that was under it

Wood is a picture of humanity; gold is a picture of glory, divine nature and character

ILLUSTRATION: The Old Testament Tabernacle furniture wood overlaid with gold.

The boards for the curtains of the Tabernacle were wood overlaid with gold. (Exodus 26)

When God said, “he shall direct”, what He’s saying is he will cover your imperfect way with His perfect way.

Reminder: gold is a picture of glory, divine nature and character

• 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

When we allow God to direct our path, we bring HIM glory.

We draw attention to the supernatural leadership of God in our life.

People do not see us with all our flaws and carnal tendencies; they see God, working and leading in our life.

We glorify God when we allow Him to direct our paths, because the life He has planned is INCREDIBLE.

C. The Completion that was Acquired

The wooden part of the Temple was the framing; but the gold was the finishing.

Until Solomon overlaid that wood with gold, that Temple was not complete.

Verse 38 says the house was FINISHED. It took SEVEN YEARS.Seven is the number of COMPLETION.

God wants to direct our path.

He wants to finish in our life what He started.

• Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

When we got saved, we got on the right path. (last message)

But that was just the beginning.

The Christian Life is a journey of FOLLOWING JESUS. (our theme for 2025)

We have no idea how to do it without God.

We have no idea where to go, and if we did, we wouldn’t know how to get there!

• Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

The Search for Direction Series

Part 4

Finding Direction by Cleaving

Proverbs 3

• 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

• 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Intro: For several weeks, we have been looking at “The Search for Direction”

Last week, we preached two messages on “Cleave Unto the Lord” from Acts 11.

Our Theme this year is “Following Jesus.”

The message this morning is going to cover all three of these subjects.

We are going to look at two examples of people that found direction for their life by CLEAVING.

1. Hezekiah - 2 Kings 18

• 5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.

• 6 For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

• 7 And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

Notice the sequence of events.

               A. He Trusted in the Lord – vs. 5 “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel…”

               B. He Clave to the Lord – vs. 6a “For he clave to the LORD…”

               C. He Followed the Lord -vs. 6b “…and departed not from following him…”

               D. He Obeyed the Lord – vs. 6c “…but kept his commandments…”

Notice how the Bible concludes this in verse 7: “And the Lord was with him;”

The Lord was with him, because he was with the Lord.

2. Ruth - Ruth 1:14

• 14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

Naomi tried to send her daughter-in-laws away.

Her reasoning was that they might “find rest in the house of her husband.”

I’m not sure how that works. Their husbands were dead.

Several times, Naomi admonished them to “return or turn again.” Vs. 8, 11, 12, 15

Naomi was heavily influencing their direction.

Notice their reactions. There were similarities, and there were contrasts.

               A. The Similarities

Similar Affiliation – vs. 4

Both were related to her. They were both her daughter-in-law.

They had been related to her for possibly 10 years. (vs. 4)

Similar Ambition – vs. 10

Both told Naomi that they would return to her people.

Similar Aspirations – vs. 11-13

Their desire was to remarry. That seemed to be an understanding between the three of them.

There was a stigma in those days of being childless.

They both wanted to remarry and have a family.

Similar Affection – vs. 14

They both lifted up their voice, and wept again.

They had already done this once. See verse 9.

Now they are crying again.

Here is where the contrasts are evident.

Orpah kissed Naomi.

But Ruth clave unto her.

There are a lot of Christians that can identify with Orpah up to this point.

• There is an Affiliation. They are called by his name.

• There is an Ambition. They start out to follow God and identify with his people.

• There are Aspirations. They profess to want to reproduce and acknowledge the stigma of being childless.

• There is an Affection. They say they love God, the church, the Word of God, the ministry.

There might be a lot of weeping and emotional kissing of spiritual things, but there’s very little CLEAVING.

But this is where it ends.

We have a lot of Orpah’s and not very many Ruths.

Ruth CLAVE unto her.  This demonstrates the contrast.

               B. The Contrasts

Contrast in her Resolve

• 15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

• 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee:

When you cleave, you follow.

You can’t cleave to the Lord and stay where you are.

You go where he goes.

Contrast in her Reliance

• vs. 16 “…wither thou goest, I will go…”

She didn’t try to dictate the course.

She clave unto Naomi and followed her.

• 19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem,

• 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem…

Contrast in her Rest

In verse 9, Naomi told her to find rest in her husband’s house.

In verse 16, Ruth said, “Where thou lodgest, I will lodge.”

Ruth said, “I can rest apart from my dead husband, but I cannot rest apart from you.”

Contrast in her Rejection

In verse 15, Orpah is gone back unto her people.

In verse 16, Ruth said, “Thy people shall be my people…”

In verse 15, Orpah is gone back unto her gods.

In verse 16, Ruth said, “…and thy God, my god.”

Contrast in her Reward

Because Ruth clave unto Naomi and unto her God, she found direction.

When Naomi was trying to get her to return to her house and her gods, she insisted on cleaving unto her and to her God.

As a result, she found:

• Food – 1:22

• Field – 2:3

• Favor – 2:13

• Friend – 2:13b

• Fellowship – 2:14

• Fullness – 2:16

• Fulfillment – 3:18

• Family – 4:13

• Fame – 4:14

Conclusion: At the end of the book, (4:15) Ruth was known to all the women as, “…thy daughter-in-law which loveth thee.”

Orpah loved Naomi too.

She wept a lot and kissed her a lot.

But Ruth CLAVE UNTO HER.

And because she clave to her, she was led to a place she would have never found otherwise.s

In this series, as we look at The Search for Direction, I would suggest that you start by CLEAVING UNTO THE LORD. Follow Him and you’ll end up right where you are supposed to be!

The Search for Direction Series

Part 5

Why Should I Let God Lead My Life?

Proverbs 3

• 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

• 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Turn also to Psalm 139

Intro: One of the biggest problems with people trusting God to lead them is their fear that God will make a mistake. That is really the bottom line.

They are afraid if they let God sit in the driver’s seat of their life, He will run off the road and crash.

Or end up in the wrong place.

This fear is based on several deep-rooted doubts.

This fear and lack of faith is simply a firm belief that God is incapable or inadequate to lead.

Many times, this lack of faith is based on a conviction that God doesn’t know enough to be trusted.

They sincerely believe that they are a unique case; such a complicated person that God can’t handle them.

Why Let God Lead Your Life? Because…

I. He Knows You

Psalm 139

• 1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

  A. He knows what you’re thinking

• 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

• 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

Psalm 103

• 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

• 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

FRAME: imagination; intellectual framework

He knows how you think.

He knows what you think about.

He knows your mental capacity.

He knows what you struggle with.

He understands your thoughts.

• 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

He knows what you will be thinking tomorrow. Next week.

B. He knows what you’re saying

• 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Many people may not understand you, but He does.

Even when you get up the courage to open up and confide in someone, they may not understand you.

You may not be able to communicate how you feel or what you’re thinking, but He knows.

Why Let God Lead Your Life? Because…

II. He Sees You

Psalm 139

• 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

• 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

• 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

• 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

• 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

• 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

• 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

• 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

• Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

He sees where you’ve been

John 1

• 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

• 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

He sees where you are

• Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

You may be saying, God knew the way that Job took because he was perfect and upright.

But what about me??

• Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

He sees you if you’re HURTING

After Sarah dealt harshly with her, Hagar fled into the desert, alone and hurting:

• Genesis 16:7, 13 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur… And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”

Here, God literally found Hagar in her place of despair.

She was broken, cast out, and running away, but the Lord showed up, comforted her, and reminded her she was not forgotten.

She even gave Him the name El Roi, “the God who sees me.”

God knows what you’ve been through.

God knows where you’ve been.

God knows how hard you tried and failed.

God knows how people have treated you.

God knows all the people that have let you down.

God knows you have trust issues, and why.

God knows the sorrow and pain you are experiencing.

Addictions, drugs, rejection, inner pain and turmoil; God sees it and God knows it.

Exodus 3

• 7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

• 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

• 9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

He sees you if you’re HIDING

Psalm 139

• 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

• 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

• 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

• 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

• 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

• 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

• Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

From the Garden of Eden until now, God has no problem knowing where we are.

Genesis 3

• 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

• 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

ILLUSTRATION: Remember Saul went into hiding before he was anointed king?

I Samuel 10

• 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.

• 22 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.

He sees where you’re going

A. He sees where you’re going if you go WITHOUT Him

Without God, you will go to Hell.

Without God, you will end up in total destruction and confusion.

B. He sees where you’re going if you go WITH Him

• Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

• Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

• Psalms 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Why Let God Lead Your Life? Because…

III. He Loves You

• Psalm 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

This verse makes the love of God for us crystal clear.

Let’s break it down:

Reins: In ancient times, "reins" referred to the parts of a horse's harness that control its movement.

In biblical usage, however, the word often symbolized the "inner being" or "heart" of a person—those deeper, unseen parts of a person that shape their emotions, thoughts, and will.

The idea is that God has control over these internal, guiding forces.

Possessed: This term can also be translated as "formed," "created," or "made" in other versions of the Bible.

It indicates that God has authority over or has formed the person’s very inner being.

God isn't just a distant observer but has ownership and direct involvement in shaping who the person is at their core.

The significance of the statement in the broader context of Psalm 139 is the acknowledgment that God is not only omniscient (knowing everything) but also omnipotent (having power over all aspects of life), even the most personal and hidden parts of one's existence.

The verse points to the idea that God has a profound, personal involvement in the creation and sustenance of an individual.

Covered me: In Hebrew, the word used here is "sakak", which means to hedge, fence about, shut in

2) to block, overshadow, screen,

It's a word often used in the context of protection, care, and the idea of being hidden or enveloped.

In this context, it suggests that God not only created the person but also protected and cared for them during their time in the womb.

It's a poetic image of God's active protection and nurturing presence.

In my mother's womb: This emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of God's involvement in the creation of life.

The Psalmist is acknowledging that even before birth, God was actively working within the womb.

It underscores the idea that life is not a random occurrence but a purposeful, intentional act of divine creation.

Conclusion:

• 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

  24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Make no mistake: God knows you, God sees you, and God loves you.

You are not an accident. Your life matters to God.

Will you let Him lead you and direct your path?

Why not trust Him and let Him direct your choices, your decisions, the way that you take?

God has earned the right to lead your life and be your Lord.

·        6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

God has acknowledged you in all your ways; why not acknowledge Him in all of His ways?

 Part 6

Finding Direction by Finding Grace

Genesis 6:9

Intro: In a day of limited revelation, Noah found the perfect will of God for his life. 

In a day with no Bible, no indwelling of the Spirit, no local church, no God-called pastor, etc.,

Noah discovered and enjoyed the will of God for him and for his family.

Not the PERMISSIVE will of God, but the PERFECT will of God.

In Noah’s case, there WAS NO permissive will of God; it was the perfect will of God or DEATH!!

Again, God is not interested in you being confused and disoriented.

It’s not God’s plan for you to spend your entire life “searching” for God’s will.

It’s God’s desire for you to “think” you know what you’re supposed to be doing, and doubt the whole time you’re doing it whether or not you’re in God’s will.

The Bible is very clear in multiple places; God is NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS.

However, though God doesn’t exercise FAVORITISM, He does indeed exercise FAVOR.

NOTE: God is not a RESPECTOR OF PERSONS; but He is without a doubt a RESPECTOR OF PROXIMITY.

• James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

When a person lives their life a certain way, God will demonstrate favor and pour out His grace.

Noah found grace – and as a result of his finding grace with God, he also found direction.

I. Noah’s Walking with God - Revealed his Delight in the Interactions of God

• Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

In a society that was wicked beyond all comprehension, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

NOTE the description of their day:

• Wickedness of man was great – vs. 5

• Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil continually – vs. 5

• The earth was corrupt before God – vs. 11 (corrupt deals and perverted, rotten dealings)

• The earth was filled with violence – vs. 11

YET – God described Noah as

            1. A just man

JUST: just, lawful, righteous (in government); right (in one’s cause); righteous (in conduct and character)

Noah was a LAW-ABIDING citizen; he had regard and respect for authority and for the law.

Noah wasn’t a rebel; he wasn’t a free-spirit, an undisciplined and disobedient man.

            2. Perfect in his generation

PERFECT: whole, healthful; complete, entire (of time); sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity; what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact

He was well rounded and had focused on growing in every area of his life.

He didn’t congratulate himself because he had a few things right; comparatively speaking, he was perfect.

            3. He walked with God

His life wasn’t about RULES – it was about RELATIONSHIP.

He didn’t do what he did out of FEAR.

He did what he did because of his FELLOWSHIP with God.

It is possible today for you and me to be just, perfect in our generation and walk with God?

Our environment should only make us closer to God, and more dedicated to finding His will.

• Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

GUARANTEE: You will never get out of the will of God WHILE WALKING WITH GOD!!

Stay right beside him. Cleave unto the Lord!!

II. Noah’s Working for God - Revealed his Dedication to the Instructions of God

Who you are will determine what you do.

Noah’s purity and passion for God made him easily persuaded and proactive.

• Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

I love that verse! Noah, being warned of God…moved!!!!!

It’s so hard today to get people to MOVE when they are warned.

A person that is accustomed to obeying the law and respecting their God-given authorities will MOVE when WARNED!!

He immediately began to prepare an ark to the saving of his house.

Notice a few things about Noah’s Work.

• Notice the Expense of his Work – it required him to invest heavily

• Notice the Expanse of his Work – it was an overwhelming task

• Notice the Extent of his Work – vs. 22 – This did Noah, according to ALL that God commanded

• Notice the Experience of his Work – we have no indication that he had any experience

• Notice the Expectation of his Work – to save his house; it was stewardship

Without a doubt, what you DO will go a long way to finding favor with God.

• Genesis 8:1 And God remembered Noah…

III. Noah’s Waiting on God - Revealed his Dependence on the Intervention of God

Genesis 7

• 5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

• 6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

• 7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

• 8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

• 9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

• 10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

I wonder how many times Noah questioned if he was in God’s will during those seven days?

People on the outside laughing and mocking.

The animals eating through a week’s worth of food; drinking a week’s worth of water – for no reason.

Their family sleeping on the ark – day after day, looking around and waiting for the Flood to come.

One of the things that amazes me about Noah and his family was that they didn’t get off the ark during that time.

Noah had NO control over anything. Except being where God told him to be.

God said in Genesis 7:1 “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”

God never said to leave; God never said to walk out; God never told him to get off the ark.

So, for seven days, he stayed put.

Genesis 7

• 15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.

• 16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

NOTE: It’s important that you are on the right side of the door when God shuts it!!

The Bible says “…the Lord shut him in.”

If he’d been outside the ark when God shut the door, God would have shut him OUT.

Once God shut the door, 7:16, Noah had no further control of the direction he went in.

The ark was a massive piece of equipment.

• Three stories high

•  450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall.

• That’s as wide as our sanctuary, 4 times longer, and 4 times taller!

There was one door, there was one window, but there was no steering wheel.

God’s direction for Noah had been very specific up to this point.

1. Step One – build an ark.

2. Step Two – get in it

3. Step Three – sit tight and trust God

Noah couldn’t make it rain once he got on the ark.

Noah couldn’t make it stop raining once it started.

Noah couldn’t drive the ark or control anything from inside the ark.

So many people get confused about God’s will.

Finding direction is not always about GOING or DOING. 

Many times, it is about WAITING.

After Noah had DONE what God told him to do, then he had to trust God with the outcome.

For over a year, Noah had NO CONTROL over where he went.

That ark didn’t have a bow or a stern; he didn’t know fore from aft.

For over a year, Noah had no idea if he was coming or going.

But he was SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF GOD’S WILL!!

Finding direction is many times based on where you are; not where you are going!!!

He had no idea where he was going.

He had no control over where he was going.

He had no say at all when it came to where he and his family ended up.

But he could relax and trust God because for the previous 120 years, he had been PREPARING FOR THE SAVING OF HIS HOUSE!!!

HE FOUND DIRECTION BY FINDING GRACE with God.

In Genesis 8:4, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat.

He was literally “stuck in the mud”.

He was “going nowhere”, but he was right where God put him.

NOTE: The Bible says in Gen. 8:4 that the ark rested.

But for over a year, Noah and his family had rested.

They had rested in the SOVEREIGN LEADERSHIP AND WILL OF GOD.

Noah had to be resigned to the fact that after he had done what God told him to do, God would take care of the rest.

• Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

• Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Conclusion: No doubt Noah spent his entire life’s savings; every dime he made, building and outfitting that ark.  No doubt he watched as others build homes, farms, fortunes and reputations. 

But Noah when he walked off that ark in the six hundredth and first year in the second month on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Noah was the wealthiest man on the earth. 

• Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

• Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

MEEK: Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice.

Noah had it all. Every sacrifice he’s ever made was worth it.

After 120 years of blood, sweat and tears, he realized that finding grace in the eyes of God is a prerequisite to finding direction for the will of God.

Sometimes, God’s will is not about where you’re going; sometimes, it has everything to do with WALKING, WORKING and WAITING.

The Search for Direction

Part 7

Finding Direction by Following Directions

Genesis 24:27 “…I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”

Intro: We are going to look at a story of a man that left his house searching for something very specific and something very important. He ultimately discovered the perfect will of God, but the process is fascinating. The secret to him finding direction was simply by following directions. Let’s look at it.

While we are in this chapter, we will look at some amazing typologies and symbolism scattered throughout this story.

The typologies found in Genesis 24:

• Abraham is a type of God the Father

• Isaac is a picture of the Son of God.

• The servant is a type of the Holy Spirit who seeks and adorns the bride

• The bride is a type of the believer; the bride of Christ.

               A. Abraham’s Desire – this was for the SON to have a Bride – vs. 1-4

·        1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

·        2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

·        3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

·        4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

NOTE: It is still God’s will for His Son to have a bride.

God is still searching for a Bride. He is still making up the Bride.

The Church is called the Bride in Revelation in Revelation 21:9.

The Father’s desire for the Son to have a Bride continues even unto today!

               B. Abraham’s Dispatch – this was for the SERVANT to fetch a Bride – vs. 4

Genesis 15:2 tells us that the steward of Abraham’s house was a man by the name of Eliezer.

The servant Eliezer was aware of the demands of his master and agreed to fulfil his demands to the best of his ability.  He was in no way accustomed to looking for a wife, and we have no indication that he had ever done it before.

His efforts to please his master would force him out of his comfort zone.

His willingness to go and fulfil the demand of his master demonstrated his love and loyalty to Abraham.

This servant is a beautiful picture of the Holy Spirit.

Eliezer was more than a servant.

The Bible describes him in verse 2 as “…eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had…”

He was a faithful, loyal, dependable, trustworthy, vital part of the household with immense authority.

Notice the spiritual significance of this typology:

·        John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

·        John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

               C. Abraham’s Demand – this was about the SUBMISSION of the Bride – vs. 8

·        8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

Eliezer was not instructed to bring her against her will.

Eliezer was not commanded to force her or coerce her to become the bride of his son.

Eliezer was not told to convey a message of predestination and irresistible grace.

The message was clear; present the possibility of a relationship with the son and let her choose.

The message was also clear; she must leave and forsake everything in order for this relationship to happen.

His requirement for a bride for Isaac was that she be willing to submit, surrender her will and follow his leadership.

Abraham demanded that she leave and forsake all and follow her new master and bridegroom.

Isaac moving to her town and living with her family WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION!

·        “…only bring not my son thither again.”

If you want to follow Christ, you’ve got to leave where you are and join yourself to Him; not the other way around!

• Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

I. The Servant’s Preparation – vs. 10

               A. He had a Testimony – 10 camels

Ten is the number of TESTIMONY.

• The Ten Commandments – called “the Testimony” - placed in the ark - Exodus 16:34; 35:16

• The Old Testament Tabernacle of Testimony/Witness (Numbers 17:7) was built with ten curtains - Exodus 26:1

  
  

  Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness… (Acts 7:44)

• The ten elders at the gate - legal “witnesses” - Ruth 4:2

  
  

  “…Ye are witnesses this day…” Ruth 4:9

• The ten spies’ – a false testimony of false report - Numbers 13:32

• The ten plagues – a testimony of God’s witness against Egypt.

  
  

  “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD…” Exodus 7:5

• The ten days of proving - a witness through testing and results – Daniel 1:12, 14

  
  
  
  

These ten camels were a testimony of his position and proof of his relationship.

These ten camels were a testimony of the authority and trust that his master had placed in him.

Furthermore, he was entrusted with these camels to enable him to bring others to the son.

One look at these ten camels would reassure and reaffirm the heart of the bride that she was in good hands.

One look at that caravan of grace and there was a knowledge that the Master could take care of everything!!

               B. He had a Treasure – vs. 10 “…and all the goods of his master were in his hand…”

He had access to all that his master owned.

GOODS: goodness; good things; property

As a steward of his house, it was available for his use.

Not just available but entrusted. He was the steward of the good things of God.

It’s always a good idea if a Christian wants to be led by God, to be a good steward of His divine resources.

• 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

How many Christians miss out on what God has by worrying about what God is going to do next?

As children of God, we can rest assured that the same God that PROVIDES will also GUIDE.

·        2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

               C. He had a Token – vs. 22 “…he took a golden earring and two bracelets…”

Abraham’s servant (a picture of the Holy Spirit) rewards Rebekah’s willingness at the well, then marked her and adorned her as the chosen bride for Isaac (type of the Son).

The gift was designed to whet her appetite for a relationship that held much more in store for her.

These gifts were designed to impress her with the vast resources of his master’s son.

These gifts were offered to her to help persuade her to make the choice. Genesis 24:47

When she came home with these tokens, it opened the door for him – Genesis 24:30, 31

·        29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

·        30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.

·        31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

The spiritual symbolism in this passage is incredible.

·        Gold — a picture of Divine worth and refining

The gifts of gold expressed a weighty, costly, valuable relationship.

These tokens were a statement that she was of great value to one she had never even met or heard of.

When she saw these tokens, she realized that she was important to him.

NOTE: We love him because he first loved us!

·        Ephesians 2:4, 5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,Even when we were dead in sins,

·        The earring “upon her face” — a picture of her hearing him and belonging to him

The Bible says it was placed “upon her face” vs. 47, indicating a visible mark of identification.

Spiritually, it pictures a bride whose ear is opened to her Lord.

A bride who is ready to hear and obey.

She is claimed and cared for (the Holy Spirit as the earnest: Eph 1:13–14; 2 Cor 1:22).

·        Two bracelets “for her hands” — a picture of her works that set her apart

Placed on the hands, they speak to our consecrated service that are result of our willing hearing.

The number TWO is a type of witness or confirmation. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

This is a picture of hands that will “testify” to faith by their works.

We see the number ten again “…their weight was ten shekels…” 

Her works are to produce a full, credible witness.

NOTE: After the invitation had been ACCEPTED (vs. 51) the servant brought forth MORE tokens!

·        51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

·        52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

·        53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

Jewels of silver; jewels of gold, and raiment.

Enough to share!

II. The Servant’s Place – vs. 11

               A. It was an Appointed Place – vs. 10

·        10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

He went to the place he was commanded to go.

·        Genesis 11:26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

It is useless to ask God to direct your path if you are not where He told you to be, doing what He told you to do.

He didn’t even start asking God for direction until he arrived at the place he was commanded to be. SEE verse 4

·        4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Eliezer didn’t look for a bride ON THE WAY to Nahor; he didn’t even start looking UNTIL HE GOT THERE.

NOTE: Sometimes, God won’t show you what you need to know until you are where you need to be.

               B. It was an Accommodating Place – vs. 11 “…he made his camels to kneel down by a well of water…”

The place he chose to wait was a place where he could maintain his testimony!

The ten camels were a testimony of his position and relationship, and he made sure they were cared for.

He didn’t get so distracted worrying about God’s will for the future that he didn’t take care of his testimony in the present.

Be a steward of what you HAVE before you get too worked up about what you WANT.

Be careful to maintain what God has already given you before you ask for more.

Before you get tunnel-vision worrying about the FUTURE will of God, focus on the PRESENT will of God!

If his camels had died of neglect, he wouldn’t have had any way to get the bride back to Isaac!

While you are waiting on God’s will, be sure to WATER YOUR CAMELS!!

               C. It was an Appropriate Place – vs. 11 “…even the time that women go out to draw water.”

Many people wonder why God doesn’t lead them, but they are not in a place that is suitable for direction.

He was looking for a wife for Isaac, so he went to a place where women gathered.

If you are looking for direction from God, stay in a place where godly direction is accessible.

Stay in a place where God’s will and God’s word is repeatedly given forth!

You can’t pretend to want God’s direction if you seldom pray, seldom read your Bible and seldom go to church!

You will never find God’s will by hanging around people that are out of God’s will!

·        If you are looking for direction, stop hooking up with lost people!

·        If you are looking for direction, find and befriend people that are in God’s will.

·        If you are looking for direction, find a church where God’s will is a priority.

·        If you are looking for direction, find a pastor that can help you find God’s perfect plan for your life.

Sometimes, the secret to finding direction is to simply put yourself in an appropriate place for God to reveal it.

III. The Servant’s Prayer – vs. 12-14

               A. It was a Submissive Prayer – vs. 12a …O LORD God of my master Abraham

He called God the “Lord of my master”. (Lord of lords; King of kings)

I am impressed by this servant’s acknowledgment of Who he was talking to.

This was a term of complete submission and humility.

He realized that Jehovah God could intervene and direct his steps.

He recognized that he was talking to the Lord of lords.

               B. It was a Specific Prayer – vs. 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say…

God loves it when we pray specific prayer.

And He enjoys specific answers.

• John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

NOTE: His prayer was a prayer that lined up with his Master’s demands and desires.

He didn’t pray for selfish reasons, or for things that weren’t scriptural.

His prayer was according to the will of God.

• 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

               C. It was a Satisfied Prayer – vs. 15 -21

• Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

·        56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

·        57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.

·        58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

Mission Accomplished: 61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

He did what he was asked to do, and he did it exactly the way he was asked to do it.

He was where he was supposed to be.

He followed the directions of his master completely, and God took care of the rest of it.

God made his journey prosperous, and he found direction because he followed directions.

The Search for Direction

Part 8

Finding Direction By Following Detours

Intro: We have the Word of God that specifically tells us that God has a plan; a purpose for our life.

God has a definite direction He wants to take us in; and it is a direction that is Divinely orchestrated.

• Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God has a plan; a path for every single one of us.

• Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

And God wants you to know what it is.

• Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

When God saves a person, He puts into motion the process by which He will lead them and guide them into the ultimate plan and will for their life.

David acknowledged this in his testimony in Psalm 40.

• 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

• 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

However – the path to God’s perfect will for your life may involve some setbacks and detours.

Joseph is an excellent example of a person that discovered that the path to God’s will isn’t always in a straight line.

But the way he got there was anything but perfect!

You’ve heard the children’s song, “Over the mountain and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go…”

The life of the believer – the walk of faith – is anything but predictable.

If it was predictable, it would not require faith.

In the text, Joseph on his death bed reiterated that he was in the perfect will of God.

·        Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

His words in verse 20, “God meant it unto good” is translated in several places as to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine

And there is no way possible for us to understand or predict God’s “calculations, inventions, imagining, and planning.”

Joseph understood that God’s sovereign plan went into effect a long time ago, when he was just a boy.

He knew that God was orchestrating his life in such a way that he would eventually land in the place that God wanted him to be. 

Notice his words to his brethren in Genesis 45:5-8

• 5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

• 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

• 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

• 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

• 9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

Let’s start at the beginning.

I. The Awareness of God’s Will 

Twice we are told that Joseph dreamed a dream.

Genesis 37:5, 9

·        5 And Joseph dreamed a dream,

·        9 And he dreamed yet another dream,

This was Joseph’s first awareness that God had a plan for his life.

We believe him to be around the age of 17 or so based on verse 2.

Joseph had a convincing introduction to the fact that God has something planned for him.

He didn’t understand when, or how, or why, but he believed it.

We have something much more substantial today than a dream, or a premonition.

We have the inspired, infallible Word of God to communicate truth to us.

It is so real and it is so specific that we can have confidence that God has a plan and a direction for our life.

II. The Assurance of God’s Will

Genesis 37:5b, 9b

·        5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren:

·        6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

Twice Joseph had a dream, and it was so convincing, that he told it – twice - to his brethren.

Although it was a dream, it was real enough that he remembered all the details.

Although it was a dream, it had enough specifics that it had a convincing message.

God didn’t just tell him one time, he gave him multiple dreams with similar details

God was emphasizing His plan to Joseph.

Joseph was impacted by God’s plan for his life enough that he was not ashamed of it.

He was open and unhesitant about it.

He had no idea WHEN, HOW or WHY, but he had a good idea of WHAT.

It was clear enough that even the brothers around him and his father understood the meaning of the dreams.

·        7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

·        8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

How this would transpire was completely foreign to him.

The process was up to God.

We have the knowledge that we were created in the image of God for a purpose.

We do not know all the details and the detours, but we must believe that God does.

ILLUSTRATION:

·        Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

PURPOSE: πρόθεσις prothesis proth’-es-is - a setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view,

Also translated “the shewbread” in Hebrews 9:2

• twelve loaves of wheaten bread, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel, which loaves were offered to God every Sabbath, and separated into two rows, lay for seven days upon a table placed in the sanctuary or front portion of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple

That shewbread was:

·        composed of a variety of specific ingredients

·        baked in a specific manner under specific conditions

·        separated into rows and laid in order

·        placed in a very specific place for a specific amount of time

·        it laid there for seven days on the table of shewbread before…

·        …finally being offered unto the Lord – ultimately fulfilling the purpose for which it was made.

The shewbread had no input; had no say - in a single step of the process.

Not the ingredients, not the way it was baked, the temperature of the fire, the separation or the order in which it was laid, where it was laid or how long it sat there.

We have been instructed that there might be a lot of things we do NOT know, but what we DO know is that…that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

That is all we need to know.

But if we know that, we have enough to go on to be assured that God has a plan.

III. The Adversaries of God’s Will

·        Genesis 50:20 “…ye thought evil against me…”

Immediately following God’s revelation, there were multiple battles and adversities to God’s will for him.

Challenging circumstances that would have derailed most people’s dreams and desires to pursue God’s plan.

A wide variety of events transpired that on the surface, appeared to take Joseph in the opposite direction of his dreams.

Humanly speaking, it was the work of men that was trying to Joseph.

Divinely speaking, it was the work of God ordering the steps of Joseph.

God’s path for our lives isn’t always straight, neat, clean, happy, cheerful paths.

Sometimes he leads us through the valley of the shadow of death.

To name just a few of the challenges that Joseph had to overcome:

·        Family Animosity – his own flesh and blood turned on him and envied and hated him – 37:27

·        Financial Anxiety – he worked as a slave with no hope of financial independence or freedom – 39:1-5

·        Fleshly Attacks – as a young man, he had to deal with the temptations of lustful enticement – 39:7

·        False Accusations – in spite of his character and integrity, he was accused of crimes and immorality – 39:14

·        Forsaken Atmosphere – he sat in an Egyptian prison for 2 years - 41:1

·        Forgotten Assistance – people he’d helped and befriended walked away and forgot him - 40:23

IV. The Accomplishment of God’s Will

Genesis 41:40-46

·        40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

·        41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

·        42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

·        43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

·        44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

·        45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

·        46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

After more than a decade of twists and turns, unscripted setbacks, disappointing and devastating detours, years of pain, rejection, trials, misfortunes, and injustice, Joseph finally arrived at the place God had intended for him to be.

·        Now, instead of Family Animosity, his family bowed themselves down before him.

·        Now, instead of Financial Anxiety, he had everything his heart could ever want. – 40:42

·        Now, instead of Fleshly Attacks, he was finally permitted to marry and have a family – 40:45

·        Now, instead of False Accusations, his word was now the final say in matters of right and wrong – 44:1-12

·        Now, instead of being in a Forsaken Atmosphere, he was second in the land. – 40:46

·        Now, instead of Forgotten Assistance, people all over the world were indebted to him for his help. – 43:1

Joseph’s life was one of many detours and seemingly overwhelming setbacks, but God’s Divine Detours brought him to the place that God had shown him in his dreams as a teenage boy.

During that span of time, he learned what it was like to be:

• Sold into Slavery in a foreign land by his brothers

• Seduced, Slandered and Sentenced without a trial

• Silenced and Stranded for years in an Egyptian prison.

Every single day of his life seemed to take him further away from what God had shown him in his dreams.

Every single person he met seemed dead-set on completely upending God’s will for his life.

Every moment of every day, no doubt Satan tried desperately to destroy his faith in God’s plan.

But Joseph kept following God, even through the detours.

He never lost faith; he never forgot his dreams; he stayed true to God.

On his deathbed, he was the one reminding everybody that God had a plan all along.

It all made perfect sense to him – at the end of the journey.

·        Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

IMPORTANT FACT: God is more interested in TIMING than He is in TIME.

Conclusion: Are you trying to Find Direction? You will have to Follow the Detours.

God’s timing is not our timing.

We do not get to skip any steps or stops along the way.

His path to his perfect will may lead you through some imperfect circumstances.

Don’t stop having faith.

Don’t stop trusting Him.

Keep following Him.

He will make His will known unto you!

• Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

In Search for Direction

Part 9

Finding Direction When Facing Destruction

Exodus 14

Intro: Many times, God’s people start to question if they are in the will of God or not when they are facing difficulties or Satanic opposition. I don’t know if it’s the misconception that being a Christian means having no problems, or if it is a misunderstanding of God and the misinterpretation of Him working in our lives. Either way, many Christians immediately begin to doubt God and question His plan when there is a problem, no matter how small or how great.

God not only uses problems to direct us, as we saw last week in the life of Joseph, but He is fully capable of continuing to direct us through the problems.

               A. Notice their Obedience

·        17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

·        21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

·        22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

·        1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

·        2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

Look at the end of verse 4 – AND THEY DID SO.

They were exactly where God told them to be.

They were in the perfect will of God in verse 4.

Their deliverance was clear. – they were where they were because of Divine providence in their lives

Their destination was clear – Canaan land was their God-ordained destination

Their directive was clear – vs. 2 …ye shall encamp by the sea.      

               B. Notice their Opposition

Exodus 14

• 5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?

• 6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:

• 7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.

• 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

• 9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.

               C. Notice their Options

The sea was on one side.

The Egyptians were on the other side.

Migdol means tower. It was on the other side.

There was no place to go.

They only had one option, despite the overwhelming opposition that was coming at them: stay in God’s will.

Many times, Satan convinces people to get out of God’s will because of fear.

What the Israelites did not know was that God already knew that the Egyptians were coming. (vs. 4)

What they also did not know was that God wanted to be honored by what happened next. (vs. 4)

God had a much bigger strategy than just getting the children of Israel out of Egypt.

He had a much bigger strategy than getting them to Canaan.

He was going to prove to Egypt once and for all that He was God IN THE PROCESS.

When you are facing opposition, you need to keep several important steps in mind to keep from getting out of God’s will.

I. The Inaccuracy of your Emotions

A. Beware of Fearful Anxieties

·        10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

FACT: Of the 10 things people fear the most, 8 of them will never happen.

They lifted up their eyes and beheld the Egyptians.

So guess what? They were sore afraid.

If all you see is the problem, you will always be filled with fear.

If all you are looking at is the opposition, you will never have peace and calm in the will of God.

What if they had lifted up their eyes and beheld the pillar of fire? Or pillar of cloud?

One look up would have confirmed that they were being led by God!

One look up would have reminded them that they were right where He told them to be!

B. Beware of False Assumptions

·        11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

Fear will produce lies. Faith will produce truth.

Their fear caused them to assume death was the only alternative.

Their fear caused them to assume it was Moses that brought them out of Egypt.

NOTE: Fear will make you think like the enemy. SEE verse 3

Pharaoh thought they were entangled and shut in. That is what they thought too because of fear.

C. Beware of Foolish Announcements

·        12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

People in trying times make foolish statements and do foolish things.

Job’s wife advised Job to “curse God and die.”

Peter at the fire denying that he even knew the Lord was all because of fear.

II. The Incapability of your Enemy

A. Your Enemy’s Fight

He is not fighting you; he is fighting God

• Exodus 14:13, 14 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Remember: It’s not all about you.

Satan hates God and he will fight you in his efforts to fight God.

Let God fight for you. (vs. 14 The LORD shall fight for you,)

B. Your Enemy’s Failure

They were sore afraid of a man that couldn’t stop a single one of the 10 plagues.

They were sore afraid of a man that couldn’t defeat the death angel that took his son.

They were sore afraid of a man that couldn’t keep them from leaving Egypt.

Pharaoh was a loser. The Egyptian armies were losers. Yet they were sore afraid of them.

• 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

• Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The same devil that couldn’t kill baby Jesus is the same devil fighting you.

The same devil that couldn’t get Jesus to sin in Matt. 4 is the same devil fighting you.

The same devil that couldn’t keep Jesus off the cross is the same devil fighting you.

The same devil that couldn’t keep Jesus in the grave is the same devil fighting you.

The same devil that couldn’t stop the church from being born is the same devil fighting you.

The same devil that couldn’t stop the Revelation, Inspiration and Preservation of Scripture is a defeated foe!

• Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…

• Romans 8 …Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

C. Your Enemy’s Finish

God is concerned about gaining honor from the enemy.

Satan is a defeated foe.

In the end, God will be glorified and gain honor from the defeat of our enemies.

·        4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.

·        17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

·        18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

I wonder how many times God’s people have robbed God of glory by failing to remain in His will during difficult times?

I wonder how many times we have deprived God of glory and honor by our lack of faith?

Stay put! God will get glory and honor through your obedience and trust in Him.

III. The Impossibility of your Escape

One thing you need to remember: if you are facing destruction, YOU NEED GOD!!!

Don’t even THINK about moving or getting out of His will.

Stay right where He put you and let God be God.

If you feel like you need to escape, remember:

A. It is Impossible without the Prompting of God

NOTICE: One of the most difficult things in a Christian’s life is to “STAND STILL.” (vs. 13)

All Satan wants you to see is the enemy.

All Satan wants you to see is your impending destruction.

All he wants you to look at is the horrible, nightmare surrounding you.

But why don’t you choose rather to “stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord!!”

It was only after they learned to STAND STILL that God commanded the people to “GO FORWARD”. (vs. 15)

·        14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

·        15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

We cannot move from where we are until God tells us to.

B. It is Impossible without the Power of God

How were they supposed to go forward? There was a sea in front of them!

The HOW was not their problem.

The only thing they had to be concerned about was obeying God in the WHEN and the WHERE.

Let God worry about the HOW!!

If God says GO FORWARD, then go forward, and let Him make the way.

C. It is Impossible without the Protection of God

·        19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

·        20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

God gave them Divine protection during the night.

When it was dark to everybody else, they had light.

Because of the light that God provided, the enemy couldn’t come near them.

The light of God’s Word is a protecting element.

• Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

D. It is Impossible without the Path of God

·        21And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

·        22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

When you are earnestly trying to obey God, He will give you only one route to follow.

It won’t be multiple choice.

It won’t be a puzzle for you to figure out.

God doesn’t put you in an intersection and tell you to go forward without clearly providing a path.

The path and the direction will be crystal clear. I promise you!

The Search for Direction

Part 10

Finding Direction by Fighting Discouragement

I Samuel 30:1-8

Intro: One of the biggest reasons that people get out of God’s will is because they are hurting and discouraged.

What many people fail to realize is that when they are discouraged, God is still God.

He is still able to direct and lead. Your emotional state has nothing with God’s position as Lord.

I do not believe that it is a coincidence that many of God’s people are in a state of discouragement and defeat, and at the same time, many of God’s people are getting out of God’s will and going astray.

In this story, David was in a deep state of hurt and discouragement.

But somehow, he found direction.

I. The Progression of David’s Distress – 30:6 And David was greatly distressed;

David was not a man given to distress. David was a man that brought great distress upon others.

But the tables had turned. David found himself in an unfamiliar place facing unfamiliar emotions.

These feelings were not unwarranted. David was experiencing one major setback after another.

Notice the progression of events that resulted in the mighty David being greatly distressed.

NOTE: No matter who you are, you will find yourself in this position at some point.

A. His Faithfulness was Recognized – 29:3; 6

·        3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?

·        6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

In spite of being anointed the next king of Israel, and having to hide like a criminal, no evil was found in him.

He had maintained his testimony.

Verse 3 literally says that they found no fault in him. For years!

Yet, in spite of his faithfulness, they didn’t want him with them.

“Nevertheless, the lords favor thee not…” vs. 6

B. His Fighting was Rejected – 28:1, 2; 29:8

·        8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?

·        9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.

·        10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.

While running from Saul, David and his wives and his 600 men stayed in Gath in a place called Ziklag. (chapt. 27)

Can you imagine the opportunity to have a fighter like David on your side?

Can you imagine how great it would be to have a man with his track record fighting beside you?

But the man he trusted and honored listened to their foolish friends and let them cast doubt on David’s motives.

The Philistines drove a wedge between David and Achish, and they didn’t want him around.

They didn’t trust him and didn’t want him helping them in any way.

David was highly offended at their refusal to let him participate, in spite of his having done nothing wrong.

They didn’t trust him. They didn’t want him. They didn’t have any desire to let him help them.

Have you ever been there before?

C. His Family was Ravaged – 30:1-5

·        1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

·        2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

·        3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

·        4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

·        5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

He came back home to Ziklag hurting, only to discover that his home is destroyed.

The enemy came in and burned his home and stole his wives, sons and daughters.

Now, his hurt is compounded.

They have gone from hurting his feelings to hurting his family.

D. His Friends were Revengeful – 30:6

·        6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters:

The men that he had just been about to go to fight WITH are now fighting him!

The very men he had helped in their time of need are speaking of stoning him.

The men that he had taught to fight want to fight against him!

Stoning was a group effort execution; once judgment was passed, and guilt was determined.

They made themselves judge, jury and executioners in a time when David needed help and healing.

Can you imagine the level of distress that David is feeling right about now?

The Bible says in verse 6: “And David was greatly distressed…”

DISTRESSED: to bind, be distressed, be in distress, be cramped, be narrow, be scant, be in straits, make narrow, cause distress, beseige

II. Prescription for David’s Discouragement

·        6 “…but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

David was an experienced warrior.

He knew firsthand how debilitating discouragement can be.

It drives out all desire to do anything except weep and feel sorry for yourself.

After a time of weeping and mourning, David knew that he had to do something.

He was not going to get encouragement from the people around him.

So he found the ability to encourage himself.

Not in himself or in his own abilities, but IN THE LORD HIS GOD.

ENCOURAGED: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute,

When David’s life was literally falling apart, he focused on pulling himself together.

David wasn’t a quitter; he was a fighter.

David didn’t let a bad day in his life throw him into a tailspin.

He hurt, he wept, he cried, he got angry, he felt violated and abused, but he didn’t stay that way.

Many Christians today allow one or two bad experiences to literally define who they become.

They let trials, tribulations, and suffering make them bitter and angry and resentful and weak.

David let his bad times make him stronger and he prevailed over his circumstances.

God is always there; and God will never leave you nor forsake you!

That is the source of all our strength.

·        It doesn’t matter how many people question your integrity.

·        It doesn’t matter how many people don’t want your help.

·        It doesn’t matter what your family is going through.

·        It doesn’t matter what your friends say about you.

When it gets bad, you can always turn to Him!

III. The Prayer for David’s Direction

A. His Recourse – 30:7 “And David said to Abiathar the priest,…”

He turned to the priest.

The first thing he did was to talk to the priest!

We have a high priest that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.

He went there FIRST in order to find direction.

Hebrews 4

·        15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

·        16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

B. His Remembrance – 30:7 bring me hither the ephod

NOTE: This was a method that God had given Israel to find God’s will.

There was something powerful and special about that priestly ephod.

That ephod was

IV. The Pursuit of David’s Deliverance

In verse 8, God said go.

In verse 9, David went.

• 8... And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

• 9 So David went...

Conclusion: Though David was hurting, and angry, and violated and mistreated, David somehow managed to find clear, concise direction from God by fighting the discouragement in his life.

David realized that his worst enemy was not the Philistines, or the Amalekites, or even his own people that wanted to stone him.

David’s worst enemy was his own discouragement.

When he defeated that, he was able to find direction for his life, and for his family. David found direction by fighting discouragement.

what the Old Testament priest wore when they were serving in the Tabernacle.

·        Leviticus 8:8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.

God had used that ephod once before to give him answers and direction.

TURN to 23:6-12

David had enough sense to not look for direction in a new place when there was direction to be had in the old place.

David kept using what was working.

That ephod identified them as men with a position of being able to intercede on the behalf of the people.

NOTE: It didn’t work for Saul in chapter 28:6

C. His Request – 30:8 Shall I pursue… Shall I overtake?

His request was to go on the offense; not to run away.

His request wasn’t for protection, but for permission to fight.

He didn’t ask for a vacation, or an exit ramp.

He was asking God for a green light to fight!!

IV. The Pursuit of David’s Deliverance

In verse 8, God said go.

In verse 9, David went.

• 8... And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

• 9 So David went...

Conclusion: Though David was hurting, and angry, and violated and mistreated, David somehow managed to find clear, concise direction from God by fighting the discouragement in his life.

David realized that his worst enemy was not the Philistines, or the Amalekites, or even his own people that wanted to stone him.

David’s worst enemy was his own discouragement.

When he defeated that, he was able to find direction for his life, and for his family. David found direction by fighting discouragement.