July 3, 2008
Be
Led To Destiny
Ex
13:17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not
lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God
said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and
return to Egypt."
This message is a caution to
seek the will of God for direction in our lives and not to rely on our flesh to
guide us. We must be led of the Lord. We must consecrate ourselves and walk in
the Spirit so we stay in the will of God. God often gives us a vision for our
life and destiny. We must trust Him to direct our path towards that purpose. It
is rarely the road we would choose, because often it is straight into the
wilderness, into suffering and hardship. God knows the best route for us to take
in life. If he had taken the Israelites through the Philistine country, they
would have returned to bondage. Instead He took them through the wilderness, so
they would be prepared for war at the proper time. We all have times of
preparation.
These times strengthen us in
Lord and teach us to rely on Him. In Galatians 1 and 2 it tells us that Paul
went to Arabia three years after God stopped him on the way to Damascus. Even
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted right after being baptized. (Matthew 4:1)
We must have our minds
renewed which will allow us to transformed and keep us from conforming to the
world’s ways. We must be consecrated. When the priests were consecrated before
serving in the temple, they were cleaned up and prepared to do the Lord’s
work. It was preparation time, and so it is with us. We must be set apart, made
holy, and prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)
Our flesh must die. Nothing
we do in the flesh is pleasing to the Lord. Romans 8:6-8 says,
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and
peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to
the law of God, nor indeed can be. So
then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
The things done in the flesh
will not survive spiritually. 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 says, “Now
if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it,
because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of
what sort it is.” We can do many things that even look like they are
Godly, but if not led of the Lord, are out of His will. I once enrolled in a
school of ministry, because I knew the Lord was calling me into ministry. I felt
I needed to have a certificate proving my capabilities. Into the second class, I
knew the Lord was saying to me, “I did not send you to school. Are you seeking
man’s approval?” Needless to say, I dropped out immediately. God always
knows the best path for us. We must be willing to submit to His direction.
Oftentimes we learn just how much we still need to submit in the wilderness.
If the Lord has given you a
great vision and direction, praise Him and then submit to His path of getting
you there lest you change your mind as you see the opposition and return to
bondage. It probably won’t be the shortest route, but it will be the one that
prepares you for destiny.
Remember,
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews
12:2) and “being confident of this, that he who began
a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus.” (Phil 1:5-6)
Janet
Fairbrother