by David Brenneman
As I sit n have read what was in my reading plan...something different dawned on me after reading in 1 Samuel when the Philistines are about to attack Israel and the lords of the Philistines don't want him there. What I now understood about this decision was certainly from the Spirit.
Before this particular battle and afterwards David refused to reach forth his hand against King Saul because "he's the Lord’s anointed". David didn't see nor understand this battle from the Lord Jesus Christ's perspective.
Which we too are prone to do. The Lord didn't want David to have any part of His judgment against King Saul. Had he been there his hands would have been against King Saul.
Right above our fireplace mantel is one of those decorative pieces you get from places like Hobby Lobby. " Take the road less traveled."
In reading these two pieces, I was lead to a particular Scripture passage.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14.
Narrow road, narrow gate...the way isn't big. It's not for everyone.
Many today believe that Jesus is going to save everyone who ever lived. It's His teachings on this that tell a different story.
There's not going to be everyone saved, just those who've truly received the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Just those people who know that Jesus is the forgiver of their sins and is the Leader of their lives.
These are those traveling the narrow road. The road is wide that leads to destruction...also to be understood as Hell.
We often are going to be in a position, a place, where we don't understand the why's of what we are going through. A year ago this week I most certainly was in this place. Was doing exactly as told and found myself unemployed and wondering how it happened. Wondering why it happened.
My memory isn't like my brother's. He can remember details and can review books he read in the years before.
Yet the Spirit brings to remembrance those times and places where it was the Lord who spared, who provided, who lead us through uncertain or just plain difficult times.
In Psalms 23 we read of what He makes us do. Leads us beside still waters. Makes us lie down in green pastures. Restores our soul.
In all that...likely without understanding.
Those who are saved in Christ Jesus are on this narrow road. We walk this way with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Guided by His Spirit.
This is perfectly corresponding to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.
We don't always know, or better still, need to know in the moment what the Lord is doing. We probably wouldn't fully understand.
Ours is to trust and obey.
Ours is to be lead and to do.
Ours is to walk this narrow way...His way...believing that Jesus has the best in mind for us.
In soon-to-be King David's life...he was kept from reaching out against the Lord's anointed even by proxy.
In our lives we're kept from things in life in the same way and allowed to endure other things all without understanding. This is where we're not to lean on our own understanding.
While not everyone will be saved...we're to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We're to continue on in telling others about Jesus and the way to be saved.
We don't know nor could understand when Jesus is to return. We are to live each day as if today were that day.
The narrow way is to be walked with Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
So if you're going through a season of not understanding, you're in good company...and it's ok. We have as our Savior the One who does and that makes everything alright.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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