Not a way OUT but a way THROUGH
11 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in faith, God, Life, trust, Women Tags: friendship
For the past six weeks, I have taught our women’s bible study groups on the friendship of David and Jonathon…”Two are better than one…” As God ALWAYS does, He has taught me MUCH more than I could ever teach our women. One teaching in particular, really struck a chord in my heart.
After David was anointed as king of Israel by the prophet, Samuel….after He defeated the giant, Goliath, after He served in Saul’s household and army, David suddenly found himself on the run for his life. Saul’s love and admiration towards David turned quickly to hatred and jealousy. David was being hunted down and assaulted, not for what he had done WRONG but for what he had done RIGHT. Saul didn’t hate David because he has evil; Saul hated David because he was good. Ever felt that way?? Suffering persecution and animosity from others, not because of what you’ve done wrong but because of what you’ve done right?? (But that’s another blog, for another time!! 
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As I continued to study the life and relationship of David and Jonathon, God revealed a truth to my heart. INSTEAD OF GOD SENDING DAVID A WAY OUT OF HIS SITUATION, HE CHOSE TO SEND HIM A FRIEND. Someone to walk with, to encourage, to strengthen David in his most dire days. God could have easily wiped Saul out of the picture and immediately placed David on the throne as king of Israel. But He did not. He instead chose for David to walk THROUGH those difficult circumstances, but in His graciousness….God sent David a friend named Jonathon.
I’m afraid that so many times, as we pray for a way OUT of our current circumstances, we miss the very people that God has sent into our lives to help us walk THROUGH those same circumstances. Our Heavenly Father, in His love and mercy, doesn’t desire us to be alone in this life. He has sent us friends to walk with us….in good times and in bad. Are we so busy praying for a way OUT, that we don’t recognize the very people God has sent us, to help us walk THROUGH?
David himself, wrote in Psalm 23, “ even though I walk THROUGH the darkest valley….You are with me.” We must not stay or camp out in the valley. Our responsibility is to walk THROUGH the valley, confident that God is with us, but even more confident that God will send us friends….while we continue walking. Friends that will pray for us, when we can’t pray for ourselves. Friends to have faith for us, when our faith has run out. Friends to believe in us, when we genuinely don’t believe in ourselves anymore. Not a way OUT, but a way THROUGH.
Have you been praying for a way OUT, when in reality God is asking you to walk THROUGH? Have you recognized the people that He has sent you to strengthen and encourage you while you’re walking?
I give you permission to only stop walking for a moment. Stop long enough to look around and truly see WHO God has sent to you to help you walk THROUGH.
Ok….that’s long enough. Embrace and receive those friendships as a blessing and gift from your Heavenly Father. Now keep going…keep walking…..YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
