Preparation for Greatness

I have several pastor friends who are going through difficulties right now. None are young, all are great men of God, some are without a pulpit, some are dealing with physical aliments and others congregational situations. I often thought that at some point we would all be in a place where the Lord was finished refining us…that is completely the wrong thought process.

God called Abraham and Moses at a late age. Our society we would consider them ‘retired’, not God. I’m quickly learning He is constantly refining who we are and how He would have us act or react to life regardless of our age. Recently we’ve been through our own set of trials with broken equipment. Our reaction has been adapt, improvise and overcome. No need to figure out ‘who shot Johnny’, other than to understand what happened and how to prevent it in the future if possible.

I see many people going through stuff these days. I recommend you embrace the situation, figure out what the Lord would have you learn from the trial and move on as quickly as you can. If the enemy can get us to stop and start having a pity party for ourselves, he has won. Keep your eye on the goal, get up and start walking.

Blessings

Preparation for Greatness
by Os Hillman

“He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” – 2 Samuel 22:35

David was a mighty warrior, and God described him as a man after His own heart. God took David through a training ground that could be looked on as cruel and unusual punishment by many a person. God chose him at a young age to be the next king, yet King Saul rejected him and hunted him down. David was a fugitive for many years. He had uprisings in his own family, and he had relationship problems. He had a life of extreme ups and downs. He certainly did not have a life free of problems; he made mistakes. He was human like all of us, yet he learned from his mistakes and repented when he failed. This was David’s training ground; it made the man. Without these hardships, it is doubtful David would have accomplished what he did.

Toward the end of David’s life, he recounted his relationship with God. It is a sermon on God’s ways of dealing with a servant leader.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory; You stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn (2 Samuel 22:33-37).

God was David’s source for everything. God gave him the ability to achieve the many extraordinary things in his life. It was a lifelong training ground that moved him from one plateau to another, often dropping into a ravine of despair and hopelessness from time to time. These are God’s ways. They drive us deeper and deeper into the heart of Him who has prepared a way for us. Let God take you to the heights or depths He desires for you. He never promised smooth sailing during the trip, but He did promise to be the captain and companion along the way.