148. Explicit or Miss It

The End Time Men
W.W. Fischer
Scriptures Referenced in This Chapter:
          (Follow the Scripture links if you want to study the Scriptures for yourself.)
Josh. 1:8 π Josh. 5:15-6:5 π Josh. 9:3-15 π 1 Sam. 13:14 π 1 Sam. 28:6 π 2 Sam. 5:10 π 2 Sam. 5:19 π 2 Sam. 5:24

In order to live an obedient life before Almighty God demands a heart of surrender, of brokenness, of oneness, of contriteness with the Father.

Some say all we need in our Christian walk is the Scriptures; however there is much more to it than that. The main purpose of the Scriptures is to establish in us Christians a desire to be one with the Father, and Scripture is the bedrock, infallible guide to this end. However, if we do not surrender to the walk prescribed in the Scripture we will never be able to establish the relationship necessary to receive God’s Spirit’s directions and guidance through seemingly impossible situations.

These situations demand explicit, detailed procedures, and the Father doesn’t mind giving us these specific directions if our hearts are submissive to Him.

King Saul, the anointed ruler of Israel, asked for guidance, but was refused by the Lord because his heart was prideful and hard. ( 1 Sam. 28:6; top )

David, “a man after God’s own heart” (not his own - see 1 Sam. 13:14 ) “...grew great and the Lord God of hosts was with him.” ( 2 Sam. 5:10; top ) As Israel grew stronger under David, they became a threat to the war-like Philistines, and the Philistines decided to fight Israel.

David pondered what he should do and, as he did many times in the past, he consulted and asked counsel from God. “Go up,” God said, “for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ( 2 Sam. 5:19 ) The Philistines were routed, but regrouped and counter-attacked. David again asked counsel from God and God gave him explicit instructions. David was to secretly hide and attack from behind some mulberry trees; and God’s even more detailed counsel said wait until “...the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” ( 2 Sam. 5:24; top )

Can you imagine our prestigious seminars using the guidance of the rustling of tree leaves to implement their programs?

After Moses’ death, the Lord picked Joshua (no man conducted democratic voting procedures here) as Israel’s leader. God instructed Joshua to first meditate day and night in the Scriptures, so he would be able to obey the ways of God, and so he (Joshua) would have success in leading the children of Israel. ( Josh. 1:8; top )

Joshua then received the necessary explicit instructions from the Lord (after Joshua obeyed and removed his shoes because of the holiness of the meeting) of how to defeat Israel’s enemies ( Josh. 5:15-6:5 ); however, when he failed to consult God for His counsel and instructions, they were led astray by some insignificant moldy bread. (see Josh. 9:3-15; top )

Many present-day Christian leaders talk about power and authority, but are we willing to submit our hearts to Godly humility and contriteness?

Our end-time conflicts, and their myriads of destructive complexities, demand something more than Wednesday evening devotionals.


147. Keeping From Sin π 149. False Prophets
The End Time Men

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