The Old Manipulation Tactics...

How many times have you tried to manipulate circumstances around you to achieve a desired outcome?

What a fruitless effort!

I have never been successful at this feat, and when, by chance, I did receive something I thought I so desperetely wanted, it never lived up to the expecation of my heart.

Why is that?

I really have no idea. But one thing that has been brought to my attention lately is that if you are a child of God, you have no need to manipulate the circumstances of your life, because God will work everything out according to His plan for you. The problem is, we usually don't want to wait for it to happen.

I noticed something very interesting as I was reading in 2 Samuel last night. In chapter 1, it begins with the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan, and the end of his reign over Israel.

What was the interesting part? It was the fact that when someone reported to David regarding the deaths, they brought Saul's crown with them and laid it at the feet of David. They brought it to him. He did not go a get it.

If you know any history regarding the story of David and Saul, then you know that David was anointed as the next king over Israel when the LORD discovered that Saul was not fit for the job. However, David did not immediately take his rightful place as king. In fact, David waited a very long time to become king.

David had many opportunites to take the throne from Saul. David had several opportunites to take Saul's very life, but he never did.

Why?

I believe it's because David understood this principle of being a child of God. The principle of the sovereignty of God to make the plans He had spoken over David's life to come to pass, in His own timing.

David felt no need whatsoever to control the circumstances of him becoming the king of Israel. He trusted God to do what He said He was going to do.

How difficult that would have been for me!! When God speaks something over my life, I want to see it immediately! I don't want to wait for it, and, I find myself trying to control every aspect, in order to ensure it comes to pass. What unnecessary stress I add to my life! What an anxiety provoking activity!

But, I've learned something very valuable from David's life. God will lay everything at my feet when it is time. God will bring it to me. I will not have to pursue it.

Am I promoting passivity? Absolutely not! While I'm not actively pursuing, or rather manipulating the outcome of my life, I am actively pursuing my Lord. When I seek Him, He provides the rest, so that I may rest in His promises!