“David … served God’s will and purpose and counsel in his own generation” (Acts 13:36, AMP)
The will of God isn’t just about aspects of important decision-making concerning your everyday life; you must also know the will of God regarding your calling. In the Scripture above it is said about David that he did the will of God in the generation in which he lived. The implications of this are clear: God has a comprehensive plan in which the course of history becomes His Story, and your life and calling is synchronised with it. If this is not the case, then you fall outside the perfect will of God, even if you, as Esther, are “born for a time such as this” (Est 4:4).
The sons of Issachar had “understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chron 12:32); unfortunately this is not the case with most believers. Rather, our lives are a testimony of missed opportunities, like King Necho of Egypt, of whom God said: “Give the king of Egypt a new name – ‘Noisy Braggart Who Missed His Chance’.” (Jer 46:17, GW) – “he has passed by the appointed time”, or as the WEB states: “he has let the appointed time pass by”. There is, says Ecclesiastes (3:1), always an “appointed” time for everything. How then are we helped “in time of need” (Heb 4:16)?
The key lies in John 7:6 (Amp): “Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here].” Somewhere we have fallen into a non-Biblical doctrine which says that we must wait with everything. NO! Almost all of the Scriptures that deal with waiting are not about decision-making but about what God is doing. But when you walk in His perfect will then God comes into motion when you come into motion – any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time! Thus: “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good” (Eccl 11:6). Know that it is God who works in you “to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13). Like David (in Ps 23:6) you learn to know that, in all you do, goodness and mercy SHALL follow you.
- Sela: Rebuke the spirit of passivity and begin to do what He has called you to do. Start simply and “do not despise the day of small beginnings” (Zec 4:10, MSG).
- Read: Ex 33; Ps 83; Mark 9
- Memorise: Mark 9:12a
