The Attack On Your Purpose!

When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, 'Shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?" - 2 Sam 5:17-19

The Bible readers and quoter's amongst us all remember, "The steps of a righteous man are ordered (enumerated, designed, etc.) by the Lord." - Psalm 37:24. Though we know that and though we know nothing can overcome God's purposes, at least intellectually we know that, it just seems that there is always opposition from God's enemies designed to prevent you from fulfilling our destiny and our purposes.

When Jesus was born, Herod tried to kill him. When Jesus was baptized and fasted 40 days, Satan came to tempt Him in an effort to derail his destiny. When David had been anointed king over Israel, God's destiny had been revealed for all to see-even Satan. So, Satan raised up the Philistines to try and kill David's destiny. Joseph had his brothers and a lying woman who tried to derail the ultimate purposes God had for his life.

But, and in going back to my example of David and our text today and, David, in response, we see that David does two things.

1. He retreats to his stronghold. It is a place of protection. It is a quiet place. It is his hiding place and sanctuary.

2. He inquires of God. The time of planning and thinking and scheming and creating devising stops. He goes before God and seeks his heavenly Father's Strategy for this life-threatening situation. He has gathered enough wisdom for his life that he wants to know what God's strategy to defeat his enemy should be. Of course for having sought the Lord we find that Father God reveals it to David precisely what he needs to know and he goes on to defeat the Philistines. In fact, David NEVER lost a battle because he learned to inquire of God for the strategy to defeat his enemies.

I always found Proverbs 16:9 an interesting verse. Speaking of the righteous, the writer says, A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs His path.

Today, as with every day, you have purpose. You are to acknowledge (Proverbs 3:6) and glorify the Lord your God and heavenly Dad (Psalm 34:3).
Perhaps for His love and grace and greater glory your God has shown you the depths of His intended destiny for your life as well. It doesn't matter. You have purpose, power and a passion today. Use it! But beware of Satan's strategy to attack you in as he, in a very focused way, attempts to attack God's leading in your life. The enemies of God desire to take you off this divine path.

We must follow David's example in response to these enemies of our souls. We must retreat to our stronghold, seek the Lord, and listen for His answer. Then, we will fulfill the purpose for which God created us...both today and into our earthly future. I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~