Isaiah 30: 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.
The days that are coming upon the land will call for a different and higher level of obedience that some Christians may not yet be familiar with. When prime time comes around, we should have already learned the critically important lessons of how to wait upon God for everything.
Thus, in our ongoing experiences He seeks to teach us bit by bit, how to trust, how to wait, how to read His providences and how to obey, in times when His providences might direct us to do this or that. God’s written word, and His voice in our consciences are always to form the backbone and the springboard of all our actions.
When making any move or when having to make a major decision that can have serious consequences, God’s written word must be consulted, and His Holy Spirit should be sought after through prayer, so that He will direct us in the ways of His choosing.
There will at times be pressures and deadlines, and times of panic when persons will be tempted to run ahead of God’s guidance. These instances should be carefully guarded, lest a wrong move can potentially place persons in a compromised position which they did not cater for.
One of satan’s devices is to create an atmosphere of panic and uncertainty, so that persons will become fretted and confused as to what course of action to pursue, and if, like the Hebrews of old, they were to see pharaoh coming after them in the distance, they can be driven to make hurried, ill-advised decisions that may be contrary to God’s will.
Therefore, in reading His providences correctly, we must not forget, major interventions, or revelations God has given us on the matters in question, for His word is solid as gold, and His providences do speak volumes, so that if contrary circumstances were to arise folks would have the assurance that everything will pan out just as God has said.
For instance, after He revealed to the Hebrews that He is going to take them to Canaan, and after God takes out all the firstborn of Egypt in a single night, those revelations and those providences should be sufficient to quiet frayed nerves, if pharaoh appears in the distance.
These lessons in reading and cooperating with His providences will come in mighty handy as persons who know what is coming, will have to decide when and where to make their move. One bad ill-advised move could tip the scales in the enemy’s favor, and could put you in grave, or unnecessary danger.
Though the lamblike beast will be first and foremost in the implementation of 666, the land of the lamb-like beast will be the safest place to be, unless God directs you otherwise. It is there where His power is going to be made most manifest, as things begin to go downhill.
So yes, pharaoh might appear on the horizon, but God has given us revelations that He will rise to the emergency, in behalf of those who trust in Him, and because of this, all of the nonsense that might seem to be taking place currently should be understood in the context of what God has promised us He will do. Let’s read:
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Be very careful of what you do in panic mode! Be very careful of what decisions you make in panic mode!
Several bad moves are what took place when David fled for safety from Saul. At that time, David went into panic mode as Saul was hot on his heels. God, through Samuel had told him directly that he would be king, twice Saul had hurled a javelin at David to pin him to the wall, and twice God delivered him.
On numerous occasions, God had demonstrated the fact that He is capable of defeating everything satan threw at David. And in addition to these undeniable interventions, when it seems as if there was no way out, and that Saul had finally cornered David, God had issued a restraining order through the power of The Holy Spirit, whereby by Saul was incapacitated in his efforts to slay David. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 19:10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin: but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
11 Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him and slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, if thou save not thy life to night, tomorrow thou shalt be slain.
12 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, he is sick.
15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.
18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and that night. Therefore, they say, is Saul also among the prophets?
A very disturbing commentary is written by the pen of inspiration about this particular intervention, for when it came to crunch time, and it finally became necessary for God to exercise raw power in behalf of David, He did and He will do it again when the going gets rough in our day, but only when it will become necessary. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 654] An angel of God met him on the way and controlled him. The Spirit of God held him in Its power, and he went forward uttering prayers to God, interspersed with predictions and sacred melodies. He prophesied of the coming Messiah as the world’s Redeemer.
When he came to the prophet’s home in Ramah, he laid aside the outer garments that betokened his rank, and all day and all night he lay before Samuel and his pupils, under the influence of the divine Spirit. The people were drawn together to witness this strange scene, and the experience of the king was reported far and wide.
But now, as Saul’s insane jealousy knows no bounds, David is exasperated, and in the heat of the moment he has come to believe that waiting upon God can’t cut it for him anymore, because, as so many persons have erroneously believed, God is taking too long.
Thus, without waiting upon God, and without taking time out to study, and reflect upon His providences, David decided to take matters into his own hands, and as he did so he jumped from the frying pan into the fire.
In all of these seemingly contrary circumstances he is forgetting one major providence that God did for him, in that God had already anointed him king and therefore, whatsoever Saul may or may not do, The Lord would not have anointed him to be king, if he was going to let him be slain. It makes no sense!
And now, in full blown panic mode David hatches his own plan of escape, better known as plan B, and as it unfolds, it will include lies, acting as if he is a mad man, putting his trust in Goliath’s sword and then he would ultimately endanger the life of the high priest and his family in the process. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, let no man know anything of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I’ve commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herd-men that belonged to Saul.
8 And David said unto Ahimelech, and is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it to me.
10 And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
13 And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, you see the man is mad: wherefore then have you brought him to me?
Question: Since God has already anointed David to be the king and nothing and no one could stop that, why is He permitting Saul to hunt down David as the most wanted man in the country?
God is allowing these providences so that David will learn those most critically important lessons that all of us have to learn, the lessons of not planning for ourselves, and total dependence on God. Without us being well grilled in these lessons, we are certain to make grave errors in judgment.
In addition, the human tendency is to take the glory of our accomplishments to ourselves, and thus, in his capacity as king, David will be severely tempted to take unwarranted liberties, without asking God’s counsel, something that he ended up doing anyway, on more than one occasion.
Especially in times of danger, volatility, uncertainty, and real peril, the Christian would be tempted to do the logically obvious, to the exclusion of God from the decision-making processes. At times like these, we usually plan and act on our own, but we pray to God to sign off on what we already intend to do.
No matter what the danger, no matter how hot the pursuit of your enemies, God’s plan of escape never includes violations of God’s law without His consent, such as killing or lying as something that is ordained or recommended by Him, if you have studied and if you have learned how to read God’s providences.
When Moses killed the Egyptian who was smiting his brethren, he decided, and he acted without the counsel of God, and thus, he violated God’s law that says “Thou shalt not kill.” Did the Egyptian deserve what he got? Yes, he did, but Moses was not to take it upon himself to dish out retribution, without first seeking God’s counsel.
When Rahab hid the spies from the authorities, she told a series of lies, that succeeded in fooling those who were sent to arrest them. But The Lord doesn’t deal in lies at all, for He is a God of truth.
And, even though He winked at her ignorance in the specific situation, God would have found other ways and means to deliver the two spies. In other words, if Rahab had spoken the truth and said the spies are hiding upstairs between the stalks, God would have intervened in a time and way of His choosing.
In other words, God did not encourage, or instruct Rahab to lie about the situation. His providences do not lead any individual to disobey His word, or walk contrary to the voice of His Holy Spirit.
Therefore, it is necessary that we study how to read God’s providences accurately, for as we prepare for crunch time in our day, it will be very important for us not to misunderstand what God does or does not do, or what He may or may not permit.
Providence: The guidance or care provided by God.
David has gone M.I.A, because he fully believes that sooner or later Saul would take his life, and now, he finds himself on the run, living in caves, mountains and wildernesses, often changing his location, so as not to be found by his enemy.
But some strange providences begin to occur, and it is critically important for us to place ourselves in his shoes to see what we would or wouldn’t have done in the same situation. To human logic, it seems as if the providence of God in this particular situation is conclusive evidence that God is directing David to slay Saul. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 26: 2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
9 And David said to Abishai, destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?
10 David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they got them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.
What would have been your reading on this miracle that God performed in David’s behalf. Would you have reasoned along logical lines, like Abishai, and concluded that because this unnatural sleep from The Lord had fallen upon 3000 plus people, that it was conclusive evidence for you to go ahead, and take out the king?
God’s providences never lead a person to violate His word, except He Himself says so. And therefore, if in this case David gets no such direction from God, he is to leave Saul alone, regardless of what providence may seem to indicate to the contrary. Let’s read:
1st Chronicles 16:21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Here is the same providence again, because there are some vital lessons we have to learn well, if we’re to survive during prime time. In all of the troubles, and trials that are scheduled for earth’s final crisis, the Christian must be led by the word of God and The Holy Spirit in all things.
In other words, no matter how trying or dangerous the situation, the Christian must not take it upon himself to do or say things that are not in harmony with the written word, or are out of step with the promptings of The Holy Ghost. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
Here again is the issue of reading God’s providences correctly for if you were to be arrested for preaching present truth, and you were to pray to The Lord God in your jail cell, and then, all of a sudden, a mighty earthquake shakes down the entire place, and every inmate’s chains are broken miraculously, it might seem to be conclusive evidence that God has made a way of escape for you.
What would you do in such a situation, and what would be your interpretation of such a providence? Should you rise to the opportunity and make your escape, or would you wait for specific direction from God, even though the evidences may seem to be a no brainer? Let’s read:
Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Why would Paul and Silas not seize what seems to be the golden opportunity? Why would they just sit and wait, when to all appearances it seems as if God is telling them through His providences to make a run for it?
The fact is that they must wait on God for directions and instruction, even when in difficult or in an unfair circumstance and therefore, until God says run, they are to stay put, even though His providences might seem to indicate otherwise.
In this providence, what might have seemed to be the golden opportunity for escape, was instead the providence from God to save the both jailor and his entire family. But whether it be escape, or salvation you won’t go wrong waiting on God do direct you in this or that situation.
The following account is a great example of what is being referred to for when the scripture says to wait upon God, it means to wait until He speaks, directs, or commands us to make our move. Until such time we are to stay the course with it is written. Let’s read:
Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
God, in His wisdom, and providences permitted king Saul to do some strange things, He allowed Herod to do some strange things, He also permitted the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, to do some strange things, and in our day, He permits persons who have been set up by Him to do some strange things.
Sorry to say this, but to many minds it seems as if at times that God does not know what He is doing, and this erroneous perspective often drives individuals to take matters into their own hands. God does not think or act like we do, and thus, we, as His subjects should give Him the time and space to work out His own good purposes.
We are gently reminded in the Scriptures that God is still on the throne, and even though, like David, it may seem as if the train is going off the rails, we will need to remember that God still rules in the affairs of men, and everything that He does, or allows is all for the good of them who will believe in Him. Let’s read:
Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water, he turns it whithersoever he will.
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most-High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whosoever he will, and sets up over it the basest of men.
Psalms 75:5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another.
It is not every time that God will select a wise ruler or king to fulfill His purposes. Sometimes He might need a knucklehead to fill a specific slot, so that His good will would materialize. Pharaoh of Egypt, in the days of Moses was basically a stupid man, but that’s the exact person God was looking for to fill that specific slot. Let’s read:
[Prophets & Kings pp 499] In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice.
But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 694] All earthly powers are under the control of the Infinite One. To the mightiest ruler, to the most-cruel oppressor He says, “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.” Job 38:11. God’s power is constantly exercised to counteract the agencies of evil; He is ever at work among men, not for their destruction, but for their correction and preservation.
True Christians in our day will be subjected to very serious challenges, but The Lord has already made provision for us to come through victoriously, if we trust in Him. The flames of the fire are not meant to consume, they are meant to purify. Like as of old, He will permit some strange things to take place.
To human wisdom, it may not seem to make sense, and it may go contrary to what we prefer or expect, but God is still on His throne, working out things so that His good and perfect will may come to pass. There are times of real peril, when you might have to run, and there are times when you might have to stand your ground, but whether you flee or stand still, let it be by the direction of God, and not folks taking matters into their own hands. Let’s read:
Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
2nd Kings 1: 11 Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
We therefore end with two passages of Scripture that will serve to strengthen our faith in God at such a time as this. In the fulness of time, we will see and understand why God did such and such, or why He permitted things to take a turn that many were not expecting. In other words, it will all make sense one day. Let’s read:
Proverbs 3: 4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
God Bless!