Stop, Go, Walk, Run, or Turn

Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for YHWH is with you.” But that night the word of YHWH came to Nathan, saying: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what YHWH says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?’” – 2 Samuel 7:3-5

Here is one last thought that came to me concerning David's desire to build a temple to YHWH.

Nathan was a prophet of God and King David's spiritual advisor. The king wanted to build a house for the ark of the covenant, asked Nathan what he thought, and Nathan told him to move ahead with his plans. God’s prophet based his advice on his understanding of God's will for David and Israel at the time; however, that very night, God made His desires more clear concerning the Temple and Nathan had to return to David and alter his previous counsel.

It is always safe to act on our current biblical understanding of God's will and purposes unless He chooses to indicate otherwise. We can advise others on this same basis. Problems occur when we become so locked into a decision or direction that we refuse to listen to God when He speaks, be it through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, or God's people.

We must always remain open to God's leading, even if He leads us away from where we want to go. Stop, go, walk, run, or turn, are you ready to do whatever He asks?

Rest in this, it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you. – Jim Elliot