My Response

When things don’t go my way,  what do I do?

Do I throw a pity party, blame others, or try to escape, or do I persevere and put my trust in God?

When promises don’t happen in my timing, how do I respond?

Do I respond in prayer or do I distance myself from God and His promises to cope?

What do I turn to when everything seems to fall apart?

Do I turn to Jesus, the Bible, Godly voices in my life, or do I “doom scroll”, eat, and spend money?

Do I react or respond?

These are some questions that formulate in my mind when reading 1 Chronicles chapter 17 and 2 Samuel chapter 7 about King David.

Surrendering to God doesn’t mean that everything in your life will be perfect. However, it does mean that He will be with you, that you will make it, and that He has plans for your life that you could never accomplish on your own. 

We can look at these chapters in flesh and in spirit. The temporal situation and the long term kingdom effects. 

In the flesh, David had plans. He was going to build a house for God. It seems like a good idea. David’s intent seems well. David, in my eyes, is desiring to do a good thing and for a good reason. Why not?

God says no. David, you’re not going to do this, Solomon will. BUT there will be a kingdom that is established forever. David, thy kingdom, thy house, thy throne shall be established forever. There was something deeper in the Spirit occurring here. There was a prophecy to be fulfilled about a coming Messiah! Could it have happened other ways, sure, but God had a plan and was working.

David could have responded in so many ways. He wasn’t really getting his way, right then. He wasn’t going to see  his desire accomplished. However, there was a praise that came out of David. He surrendered to God’s will. There was beauty in the plan. 

18 Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 2 Samuel 7:18

22 Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

What mattered was that the kingdom purpose was accomplished; whether, through David or his seed. The only thing that truly matters is that every God given dream, plan, or desire that you or I may have is accomplished, whether through us, our children, or someone else. 

When our dreams become someone else’s reality, let there be praise on my lips! It is all for the Kingdom of God! A part of spiritual maturity is grasping this concept. It isn't about me, it is about Him! He keeps molding and growing us.

A personal experience came to mind. It seemed to be one of those seasons that everything was falling apart. Ever been there, or just me?!

I thought that there was a promise being fulfilled in the middle of all the mess. I believed it. I thought I saw it, and it seemed like it just came crumbling down around me. 

When I saw the final outcome, I felt like it was my breaking point. I would love to say that my first reaction was one of praise, but it was probably more one of rage. (like that rhyme there? ha…) 

Then, still in that moment of disappointment or brokenness, if there is even a word to truly grasp it, I began to let out a praise to my God. A response, not a reaction. As I began to sing words from my heart to my King, healing, restoration, and peace surrounded and flowed through me. 

I began to sing these words,

If not, You’re still good

If not, I’ll still serve You

If not, I’ll sing hallelu til 

I’m in eternity with You Jesus

Something truly beautiful happens when you begin to praise in the moment it feels like your dreams and desires are out of reach, gone, or destroyed. If you pay attention to what the Lord is saying, just like with David, there just may be a greater promise hidden in His no, or not yet.

God has greater things planned for you than you have. His plan may not be my desire, but He has all power and His ways are higher. 

Just as David responded, I want my response to be -

Who am I that you would use me?

Let Your will be done. 

I will praise You!

I will do anything that I am able to for your Kingdom!

What will your response be?