It’s the start of a new season
Today is the first official day of fall, the start of a new season. It’s also my oldest son Kedar’s sixteenth birthday and the first day of my return to blogging since a crazy, unexpected medical emergency threatened to end my life.
Honestly, it looked like I wouldn’t bounce back, but God was not finished with me yet. By His grace, He miraculously healed me once again. I wrote a very long post on my Facebook page that explains what happened and where I’ve been. Please go to my page and read about what God did for me following a mini stroke and multiple seizures.
It’s one for the history books, that’s for sure. I know you were praying, and God heard you. Thank you.
When I look back, I scratch my head in amazement. Things got so bad, I ended up in intensive care and wasn’t expected to fully recover. But God knew better. He knew He had a good plan for me, and He wasn’t done using me for His glory.
This morning I was reading 2 Samuel 15 about David’s son Absalom who went on a murderous rampage. In pursuit of power, he killed his brother Amnon and was seeking to end his father’s life as well. Ironically, in Hebrew, Absalom’s name means “father of peace,” but there wasn’t anything peaceful about him.
He was so violent, in fact, David and his allies were forced to leave Jerusalem for their own safety. In order to invoke divine protection, a priest named Zadok, who did not join Absalom’s rebellion, went along with the Levites to get the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred symbol of God’s presence. Zadok wanted to protect the king.
Though David appreciated Zadok’s concern and understood how powerful the Ark could be when God worked through it, he said he wanted to go forward without it. David told Zadok to take the Ark back to Jerusalem.
Huh?
Why would David do that?
“‘If the Lord sees fit,’ David said, ‘he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him’” (v. 26).
When I read this verse, I stopped and meditated on David’s words: “But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.”
Wow. David’s words and actions show us what it looks like to totally rest in God, trust His sovereignty, and submit to His will. David knew that no matter what the enemy tried—the enemy being his son in this passage—he didn’t have the power to override the purpose of God.
“God is saying to you today that it’s not over. There are greater works He is doing for you, in you, and through you. That’s why Satan’s plan of attack won’t work. God is not finished blessing you!”
Sure enough, the Lord was not through with David. He yet delighted in his servant. It pleased God to still use David to bring about His divine plan. That’s why Absalom was killed in battle and David, whom God had chosen to reign, resumed the throne unharmed. Absalom had come against God and was defeated. The evil scheme did not work because God said David’s throne would last forever, and the Messiah would be a descendant of David.
David’s words in 2 Samuel 15:26 perfectly explain the reason you are reading these words I have written, though some say I should be dead. What happened to me, as serious as it was, could not take me out because God was not through with me yet. It delighted Him to heal me and continue using me for His glory.
What Satan hoped would be the end of my life was really the start of a new season of blessings, favor, and miracles. God has more work for me to do, and the same is true for you. Whatever setback you’re facing right now cannot thwart the purpose of God!
I know it may not feel good or look very good either. You probably don’t understand why God is letting you go through this, and there are times when you wonder when this will all end. Sometimes, I’m sure, Satan tries to talk to your mind and discourage you about what the outcome will be.
But receive this word today from someone who stared death in the face and still believed God: no matter what kind of weapon the devil uses against you, at the end of the day, it cannot succeed against the God who fights for you. You will win because God has already declared victory over you, and He will complete the amazing work He started in your life.
Every promise will be fulfilled. Every door that is meant for you will open. Every breakthrough with your name on it, you will receive it. God is not through blessing you!
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Philippians 1:6 NASB into your cup of inspiration, which says, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, be encouraged and rejoice. What may appear to the be the end: the end of a job; the end of a relationship; the end of health; the end of happiness; and the end of something good… is actually the start of something better.
It’s the start of a new season. God will do even greater things. He is not finished with you yet.
Now let’s pray.
God, I have been through hard things, and I am still going through some difficulties. But I trust that Your purpose will prevail through it all. Thank You that no matter how bad it looks, Your good plan will override whatever the enemy brings my way. So right now I praise You in anticipation of the great blessings that are getting ready to come my way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
