Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126:6)

 

Rejoicing during the harvest is to be expected, but the sight of farmers weeping as they are seeding is not likely one that we would witness in this part of the world.

 

To fully appreciate this contrast, we need to understand the reality of farm life in ancient times. Whenever grain was harvested, the farmer had to set aside a portion of the yield as seed for the next crop that would be planted soon thereafter. The family would have to live on the rest of the harvested grain until the next harvest came along.

 

When the yield was normal and all weather conditions optimal, this would happen without a glitch. However, if the yield was smaller than anticipated and there was a touch of drought, then the farmer would face the prospect of not having enough grain to feed the family until the next harvest.

 

The only grain that would still be available is the portion that had been set aside as seed for the next crop. When the farmer chose to plant that seed in the ground, he was taking a huge risk. Should the rains not come on time, should there be an infestation of locusts or some other unexpected hindrance to producing a decent harvest, then all the seed would have been planted for naught. There would be no grain to feed the family.

 

Herein lay the farmer’s dilemma: If you did not plant the seed and used it to feed the family instead, you would have no harvest. If you planted the seed and had nothing to show for it, once again the family would go hungry.

 

Now, can you appreciate why weeping accompanied seeding? The farmer was releasing what could’ve been the means to sustain their livelihood. The risk was great, but then again, so was the reward.

 

Without releasing the seed, there was no hope of an increase. In order to experience an increase, the seed had to be released.

 

This is a principle that you need to understand and put into action repeatedly on the road to your destiny. You cannot hold on to what you have and expect to experience an increase.

 

You may have some money to invest. For that money to increase in value, you need to release it from the prison of a savings account into an income-producing vehicle, amen? Whether it is a mutual fund, real estate, commodities, precious metals…without the release, there is no increase!

 

You have the seed of the gospel in you. But it does no good for the kingdom should you keep it to yourself. It is only when you take the risk of rejection and release it that you have the opportunity to see an increase of souls coming into the Kingdom.

 

Dear DWOD friend, what do you have in you right now that needs to be released? Is it a product you have been developing? Go ahead, take the risk. Release it into the marketplace.

Is it a talent that you have been hiding under a bushel? Go ahead, expose it to the rest of the world.

Is it a book that you have outlined, but not yet completed? Yes, there is a chance that on one would want it. But, it also has the potential to be a huge blessing to many more. Just release it.

Get the idea?

 

When you do it, even if you have to fight back tears in the process, it will be worth it. For when you release it, you have unleashed the potential to increase it.

Whenever Goliath came out spouting intimidating words that taunted the people of Israel, we are told that “they all fled from him in great fear.”

 

He tries the same tactic on David and hits him with a torrent of trash talk. “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

 

But David does not respond the same way as the rest of his fellow citizens. As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. (I Samuel 17:48)

 

David takes the time to let Goliath know why he is coming at him with such confidence too! “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

 

He is not fighting as an amateur shepherd boy, but as a soldier of the Lord Almighty. His mission is not just to kill the giant, but to let the whole world know that the real God is the one who is on the side of the Israelites.

 

No wonder he is running toward Goliath with great expectation!

 

Dear DWOD friend, can you relate to what is going on in this battle between David and Goliath?

 

When you are gripped by fear, you are tempted to run away from the enemy before he takes a shot at you. But when you are brimming with confidence, you can’t wait to take a shot at him and knock him out.

 

As the apostle Paul reminds his young protégé Timothy: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

 

When the Spirit of the God who raised Jesus from the dead resides in us, we can indeed run toward the enemy, can’t we?

 

This is why the armour of God described by Paul in Ephesians 6:11-20 includes a shield, a sword and a helmet…but no weapon to cover your backside J God expects us to face the enemy and fight the battle, not to run away in fear and expose our backs to his attacks.

 

Is there a formidable foe you are facing right now? What obstacle do you find intimidating or seemingly insurmountable? Who has been taunting you relentlessly and causing you to shake and shiver in your boots?

 

Perhaps you are even contemplating the possibility of turning around and running away from it all. Hold it! Stop in your tracks right now.

 

Remember who you are. Remind yourself whose you are. Realize who resides in you. Recall who is on your side. Repeat these words from Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

You’ve got what it takes. Correction. You’ve got WHO it takes. The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, the God who has already won the victory over the greatest enemy of them all, death. He is not only on your side, He is on your inside, just waiting to come outside of you and deal a death blow to the enemy.  

 

So, what are you waiting for? Run toward your enemy! Quickly. Right now! Take down the giant. In Jesus’ name. Amen

As we saw in yesterday’s DWOD, David finally convinces King Saul to let him take on Goliath on the strength of his past victories and his conviction that the Lord who delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear would also deliver him from the paws of the Philistine. Here is what follows:

 

Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armour on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.

 

Saul knows only one way to fight and that is with a sword. When you fight an armed opponent with a weapon, you need to protect yourself from their blows. So, it was a no-brainer for him that David would need an armour and a helmet.

 

Saul would’ve expected David to express his appreciation for the privilege of being able to wear the king’s own tunic and his hand-picked armour and helmet. But that is not what happens, is it?

 

David tries walking around with all the equipment on, but it wasn’t the right fit for him. He was a shepherd boy who was used to wearing a robe and holding a shepherd’s staff in his hand. He was not a soldier who knew how to dress for success in a battle.

 

So he does something very bold. He turns down the king’s kind offer to loan him all those fine armaments. David risks offending Saul, but it was critical that he stick to what fit him the best. To his credit, Saul realizes this truth as well and lets David do it his way.

 

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

 

Can you imagine what would have happened had David faced Goliath wearing all that bulky armour? He would not have been able to use his slingshot with the unrestricted flexibility of a shepherd’s outfit. He would have been severely restrained in the speed with which he approached the giant as well. It would have been an unmitigated disaster.

 

Thanks to David’s forthrightness about his discomfort and Saul’s discernment, the tragedy was averted and victory ensued.

 

Dear DWOD friend, on the road to your destiny, you are likely to run into situations similar to what David faced. Well-intentioned superiors and supporters will suggest that you adopt what has served them well.

 

You may be under pressure to use the same strategy they used to achieve success, even though it is a total mismatch for the way you are wired.

 

You may be forced to wear their mannerisms, employ the catchphrases that worked wonders for them and launch the same successful campaigns as they did, even though it would not be a natural fit for you.

 

You may be persuaded to go along with their suggestions for sentimental reasons or for the purpose of maintaining traditions that have stood the test of time.

 

This is when you, like David, need to be politely firm. Yes, there is always a chance that you may offend them. But, my friend, this is your battle. You’re the one in the fray. You need to fight your way. You’re the only you that has ever been, is now or ever will be. You have a unique way or perhaps you have received a particular strategy from heaven. Like David, you’ve had success before with your preferred weapons of war.

 

Stand your ground. Do not give in to others, no matter how much they insist. Wear your best fit for the fight. It’s the only way to slay the giant.

Right after David tells King Saul of his decision to take on Goliath, there is an interesting exchange that happens between the now and future kings of Israel, as we read in I Samuel 17:33-37.

Saul discourages David by saying: “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

Rather than take the royal No as the final answer, David makes a case for him to be permitted the privilege of facing the giant:

“Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

 

David recounts occasions when he was clearly at a disadvantage.  A youth up against a lion and a bear. A featherweight facing a heavyweight. A meek and mild lad matched up against a ferocious beast.

 

Yet he was not at all deterred by being the underdog in size, weight, strength, experience or speed. All he needed was to have the heart of a lion, not its body. A mighty bear was no match for his bare hands.

 

He was basically telling Saul: “Please do not be fooled by my age and inexperience in fighting another human being. I have proven by what I did in subduing these wild beasts that I am capable of taking on giants and slaying them. First the lion. Then the bear. And now Goliath. He too will meet the same fate as the other two.”

 

Then he adds the clincher: “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

 

Different opponent. But the same God. Deliverance is the Lord’s. What He did before He will do again.

 

At that point, Saul relents: “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

 

This exchange between Saul and David carries an important message for all of us as we advance toward our destiny, doesn’t it? In a nutshell: “Do not underestimate the power of past victories to propel you to greater victories in the present.”

 

While the enemy would have us pre-play the prospect of failure at the hands of the giant we are facing (as did the Israelite army) or replay instances of failure in the past, God wants us to rehearse and re-hash our past victories and prepare for our greatest victory yet!

 

One of the best ways to ensure that our past victories are available for instant replay is to keep a daily journal. Entries of small but significant victories over alluring temptation or attacking demons can come back to help us defeat the Goliaths that stand in our way.

 

When we read through our journals, we begin to see how God’s hand was operational in our lives, snatching victory from the sure jaws of defeat. When we realize that the same God is still at work in us, it gives us the confidence to face and win every battle that we face in life, amen?

 

Dear DWOD friend, do you keep a journal? Even if you do not record everything that happens every day, please take the time to at least enter the victories you enjoy along the way. You will never know when you, like David, will need to rehearse them as you take on Goliath and make short work of your giant.

Everyone who‘s ever had any exposure to the stories of the Bible knows about David and Goliath. As a matter of fact, even those who are not Jews or Christians make reference to these Biblical characters to describe a situation in which a small or weak person or organization tries to defeat another much larger or stronger opponent, as in:  “This game sure looks like a David and Goliath contest to me.“Or“David takes on Goliath as local firm fights giant multinational‘s takeover bid.“

Of course, most of the emphasis is on the striking contrast between the mature fighting machine that is Goliath and the amateur young warrior. You can easily visualize the imposing figure of Goliath silhouetted against the Philistine skyline and hear his intimidating trash talk, challenging anyone who had the guts to take him on to simply show up and fight.

The reaction of the Israelite forces is predictably feeble: “On hearing the Philistine‘s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified…Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.“ (I Samuel 17:11, 24)

And then there is David, the shepherd-turned boy-soldier, sporting a slingshot and spouting a shot of indignation: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?“

However, there is a significant detail in this story that is often overlooked when we simply focus on the contrast between the two and the contest that turns out to be no-contest.

Before David decides to take on Goliath, he asks a question: “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?“ He can hardly believe his ears when he hears the answer: “The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.“

Now that is what you call a triple crown. Can‘t you just see the wheels turning in David‘s cranium? “Great wealth sounds great. Marrying the king‘s daughter, that‘s a bonus. But a lifetime exemption from income taxes–that‘s the clincher. I gotta go for it!“ Motivated by the prospect of having all three, he says to King Saul: “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.“

Did you notice the contrast in attitude between David and the rest of the Israelite army? They focused on what was coming AT them, while David fixed his eyes on what was coming TO him. The Israelites‘ attitude doomed them to defeat. David‘s mindset had no room for failure whatsoever.

Dear DWOD friend, have you ever found yourself facing an obstacle of Goliath proportions? If you only look at what‘s coming AT you, you are bound to be intimidated. It will kill your desire to even contemplate the prospect of engaging in war. You have already lost the fight before you even lifted a finger.  

What if you, like David, were to focus on what is coming TO you instead? The victory that is yours as one who is “more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus?“ Or the prize that was promised in a prophetic word you received?

It could make the difference between advancing into your destiny and retreating to a life of mediocrity. You too could make the headlines:

“Christian youth takes on school system and wins David vs Goliath battle.“

“David slays Goliath as stay-at-home Mom runs multimillion dollar porn shop out of town.“

Now it‘s your turn. Here you go. Write your own headline.

“……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………”

Focus on what‘s coming TO you, not what‘s coming AT you.

We greatly appreciate your response to this DWOD. Just add your comments directly below this post. Perhaps you would be bold enough to share your headline with the rest of us?

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”(Acts 6:2-4)

The early Church is facing a problem that comes with growth. Complaints. In this case, it is about one segment being neglected. The widows of Greek-speaking believers are not getting their fair share of their daily necessities.

As you would expect, the complaints are levelled against the Jewish-Christian leadership. There is tension that needs immediate attention before it crescendos to a crisis.

Now the twelve apostles have to make a decision about how to resolve this problem. It would appear upto this point that they were personally doing everything—from preaching and praying to providing daily rations to everyone from the common pool.

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and THEY distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:32-35)

So, they come up with a solution. Appoint “seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” to take care of the widows. They would devote themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 

Their example teaches all of us a very important lesson in leadership. As a matter of fact, this is a key to advancing toward your destiny. You need to know when to say No.

It is not as though the apostles were incapable of doing the daily distribution. They had what it took to get the job done. Perhaps it was a chore that brought them great satisfaction as they saw the grateful smiles on the faces of the recipients. But, it was not their primary calling. They had to say “No” to anything that would detract from what they were uniquely called and equipped to do.

So do you.

Dear DWOD friend, may I suggest an exercise? Keep track of all that you do every day for one week. Go through the list one item at a time and ask this question: “Is this contributing to the fulfillment of my primary calling or detracting from it?”

If you determine that an activity does not qualify as a vital contributor in reaching your destiny, you simply say “NO” to it. Even if it gives you great pleasure. Even if you have the skill set for it. Yes, that is tough. But please do not confuse what you like to do with what you need to do. Learn to distinguish what you are capable of doing from what you are called to do.

You will be amazed at how this simple step will help you accelerate into your destiny. Please try it and share your results with the rest of your DWOD family. Just post your comment directly below this post.

“It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (I Kings 19:4)

Those are the words of the prophet Elijah when he hears that Jezebel has put out a contract on his life. Yes, this is the great prophet Elijah who has just come off the mountain-top, both literally and figuratively.

The showdown on Mt. Carmel has clearly established that the God of Israel is the true God, not Baal. Elijah has clearly proved that he is a true prophet of this God. He has also slaughtered all 450 prophets of Baal. Now you know why Jezebel vowed that she would seal Elijah’s fate with the sword as well.

Elijah is now on the run. Actually he is hiding in a cave, depressed. He has moved from the mountaintop of victory to the cave of self-pity.

He’s had enough. He has chosen to resign from the office of the prophet. Of course, the boss has to accept the resignation. He is even suggesting that God confirm his resignation by re-locating him to headquarters—dead, not alive.

Ever face moments like this? Perhaps some of you, our readers, are in this predicament right now. You just want to quit it all—a ministry position, your parental role, your business, your job, your life as a Christian, your very life, your _____________ (please fill in the blanks). Perhaps you have already written your letter of resignation. Or you may know someone close to you who is in the same place as Elijah.

How does God respond to Elijah’s decision to resign?

First He meets him where he’s at—right there in the cave. He calls him out and gives him an unforgettable encounter.

Then God asks him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah gives him the standard reply: “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

Watch how God completely ignores Elijah’s intent to resign. Here is His response:

“Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.”

In other words, God says to him: “You may think you’re finished with me. Not so fast, old man! If you thought the heavenly council would pass a motion to receive your resignation with regret, you can forget about it.”

“Instead, I want you to know that I’ve got more work for you to do—kings to crown, and a prophet to mantle. I’m giving you an opportunity to re-sign as my prophet and complete the assignment I gave you when I anointed you to be my mouthpiece. Do you accept or not?”

God counters Elijah’s intent to resign with an offer to re-sign.

The rest of chapter 19 recounts how Elijah did indeed accept God’s offer as we see him throw his mantle on Elisha, the son of Shaphat.

Dear DWOD friend, if you’re not there right now, you too could very well face times when you are tempted to resign on the road to your destiny. Listen carefully to God who comes to you, even when you’re all wrapped up in self-pity. You will hear God making a similar offer to you as well. Will you accept and re-sign? The choice is yours.  

Every congregation in the United Church of Canada, the denomination in which I am credentialed, is mandated to provide its minister up to three weeks of Continuing Education leave per year and an allowance to boot.

In the early years of ordained ministry, I preferred to spend this time and money attending seminars and workshops on such vital subjects as preaching, pastoral care and counselling. Much of the training was nuts and bolts stuff that could be applied once you returned to the field.

All of that changed in 1999, when a group of three from Rosemont United in Regina (the congregation I was serving at the time) attended the “Worship, Arts & Technology Conference” at Centre Street Church in Calgary.

I did not know much about this church before I went to the Conference, but soon discovered that it was one of the largest congregations in Canada. They had 4 services every weekend, averaging 1500 per service.

At the Conference they shared how they managed to experience such explosive growth in a relatively short period of time.

I had been under the impression that their creative use of technology and the arts attracted new people to their church. They, on the other hand, made it perfectly clear that they were forced to add all the technological elements to keep up with the growth that was happening at a rapid rate.

It was very apparent to me after talking to some folks at the church that the growth was a direct result of their emphasis on person-to-person evangelism. They equipped everyone to reach out to their family, friends, co-workers and even strangers and connect them to something or someone in the church.

Do the simple math. 2 people bring two more, then all four bring four more, all eight bring eight more…now the growth is exponential and before you know it, the initial two turns into 4096 when this process is repeated a mere 12 times. No wonder they had just added a fifth service to be able to offer every member an opportunity to worship!

More than any technical knowledge I may have gained, what really happened at that Conference was that I got a vision of what the Church could be when we take the Great Commission seriously and equip everyone to “go make disciples of the nations.”

Ever since that experience, I have made it a point of spending at least part of my Continuing Education Leave attending an event where the primary emphasis is not on teaching the nuts and bolts, but on sharing and imparting a vision that grips the attendees and leads to transformation—first of the leader, then their church.

What happened at Centre Street Church in 1999 happened again in 2005 when I attended a Pastors and Leaders Conference at Catch the Fire Toronto. I did not come home with a lot of notes and manuals, but I caught the vision of a modern day church that resembled the book of Acts in so many ways.

This is why Sulojana and I are here this week for the tenth year in a row. Every time I come, the Lord enlarges my vision and Holy Spirit empowers me to grow some more. This always translates to growth in the churches I serve—not always numerical, but certainly spiritual growth—in breadth and in depth.

We have been encouraging our people for quite some time now to also take the time to go to similar events. It has been my observation that those who go and catch a vision also grow themselves, in turn becoming catalysts for growth in their congregation.

Dear DWOD friend, no matter what field you may be working in right now, would you take this counsel to heart? Make a point of attending events that will expand your horizon and cause you to envision greater realms of achievement that you may not have thought possible previously.

And you too will discover that when you go, you will grow.