Circumstantial faith

Read > 1 Samuel 26:1-12

“God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!” (v. 8).

We’re interested in your manuscript. Please call us next week.” With a mounting stack of rejections, the e-mail was the first positive lead I had received. I was grateful to see an open door, even if it was only cracked. However, as the time to call drew near, I felt impressed to wait. What would be the harm in just finding out? I reasoned. But I couldn’t deny the strong sense of “no” in my spirit. Within 2 weeks, I had an offer from a publisher with a strong reputation for honouring God’s Word.

Too many times in life, we base our decisions on circumstances alone. As we seek God’s will, however, we have a choice of living by fleeces or through intimacy with the good Shepherd (John 10:14). Both Gideon and David performed great exploits for the Lord, and Hebrews 11:32 describes them as men of faith. Their latter days, however, differed vastly.

David’s life demonstrates that opportunity does not equate with God’s will. As he fled from Saul, I believe God set up the circumstances to test David’s heart (1 Samuel 26:12). For David, the decision wasn’t about opportunity but about who he would become in the process. He sought the voice of the Lord and looked to the Word (Psalm 119:105). Through he was a man with real struggles, this King of Israel died with his faith grounded firmly in the Lord. Sadly, though, Gideon’s faith never seemed to grow past the place of fleeces. Judges 8 recounts how Gideon – and subsequently, Israel (8:27) – ended up in apostasy over a golden ephod.

Determining God’s call to action based solely on our circumstances can lead us into deception. He can use life events to move us, but true intimacy with Him is based in trust – not circumstances. God draws close to those who learn to rely on Him. – Regina Franklin

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After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice (John 10:4).

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When have your circumstances led you to make a poor decision? How does a deep trust in God help you to evaluate life events and where He’s leading you?