A Chain of Events

No one within King David's family or community could have imagined the spiritual chain of events surrounding a shepherd boy predestined to become a great and powerful King. God's purpose for David, the shepherd boy, was to become David, the king; honored as a mighty warrior. Despite being King David, he still made some terrible decisions. So, why did God pick David? . . . because David had a heart of integrity.

Pondering:
I have good intentions. However, at times determining the purpose of a series of painful events seems pointless. We think our lives are not turning out as expected. In fact, it sometimes seems that nothing brings lasting joy or satisfaction anymore. I love God, but how does He expect us to understand what it all means? Where are joy and purpose when it's impossible to understand heart-breaking events? Where do we go for answers when feeling incomplete?

"I will steady him with my hand; with my powerful arm I will make him strong" (Psalms 89:21NLB).

Coaching:

The youngest of seven brothers, David, a simple shepherd boy, was happy in the wilds playing his music to a herd of sheep and goats, singing songs, and watching the stars. He had no ambition for anything other than what he was already doing. Being alone in the wilderness as the guardian of his father's herd was an honor to David; who fearlessly protected the herd with his life (1 Samuel 16).

In Hebrew, I will steady him with my hand means, "God's hand shall forever be present". The supreme, unquestionable, omnipotent, power over everything remains permanently with Jesus as Redeemer and Ruler over creation; with my powerful arm I will make him strong means, "the fullness of divine power will attend David".

The same covenant promise belongs to us as individuals and as a community of believers. God's covenant should inspire us to pray for the Lord to bless us individually and as a church, with purpose and power.

"So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands" (Psalms 78:72NLB).

In order to warn all generations against repeating unfaithfulness, God invites us to recall how the Israelite Exodus experience turned out (Psalms 78). Their unfaithfulness and lack of appreciation for what God provides caused aimlessly wondering in the desert for forty years, while the promise land was within reach the entire time.

Throughout Israel's history, they continually returned to pagan worship as if blinded to God's covenant blessings and promises. Turning from God alters destiny. Because of sin, this chain of events transfers Israel's blessing to Judah, and God anoints a shepherd boy King (Psalms 89:19-37).

While heartbroken over King David's sin, God never abandoned him. He never leaves those that love Him. God purposefully positions individuals and circumstances in David's life initiating his heart-felt realization of multiple sins, leading him to great sorrow and repentance; while teaching David to be a King.

A Few of David's Chain of Events:

• God prospers him (1 Samuel 5:10)
• He gains fame (1 Chronicles 14:17)
• Is promised his seed will reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12)
• He defeats many nations (2 Samuel 8)
• Commits adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-5)
• Wickedly causes Uriah's death (2 Samuel 11:6-25)
• Takes Bathsheba as his wife (2 Samuel 11:26-27)
• Rebuked by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-14)
• Repents his crimes and confesses guilt (Psalms 6)
• Suffers grievously for his crimes (Psalms 69)
• Death of his son by Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:15-23)

Predestined in eternity-past, God designed us individually with a specific purpose. With our happiness in mind, He gives peace and joy to His own. He understands our souls hunger for a purpose. He knows our deep need to weave the fabric of our destiny until we accomplish our commission. God creates a chain of events in each life to accomplish order, rescue us from things we cannot control, and to propel us into completing the task. What we do with His covenant blessings is a choice for either good... or evil. There is no in between, only the consequences of our actions.

Why does God's chain of events hurt sometimes? God's love is so intense that He protects those with integrity of heart from aimlessly wondering in the desert. He knows it is impossible not to sin when born with a sin-nature.

He purposefully positions individuals, circumstances, and trials in our life to initiate a heart-felt renewal of our mind in order to remove blindness and recognize sin. The Holy Spirit lifts us with divine instruction about blindness to sin; why, so we will not repeat or continue in sin, like Israel.

With skillful hands, God molds us into the fabric of His image and purpose through chains of events. Why? It is the plan of God, and His will. However, the outcome can be desert wandering, or repentance and God's blessings.

Challenge:

Are you wondering in a waist-land like Israel? Blindly rationalizing like David? God is weaving a heart of integrity in you. You decide. God surrounds us in order to unfold a lifetime of spiritual... chains of events.