Things are not always what they seem. Ain’t that the truth. Especially in this day of AI being infused in almost every task or industry I have run into lately. But we need to take some truth – thanks to Henry Blackaby – from Proverbs 16:26 There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way to death.
How are we to know? We can be so easily deceived into believing we are going down the right path but the truth is we are heading the opposite direction from God’s will – towards death!
There is another sad truth which plays into this (based on Romans 3:10-18 quoting Old Testament scriptures which make the point there is no one righteous, not even one). As Blackaby sums it up “People do not naturally seek God or pursue righteousness.”
How often have I been doing what I think makes the most sense, based on my own wisdom. Oh, yes, I do my research and I consult a few friends and I know – deep down – what I would really rather do. All that mushed up into the processing and I can come up with something that is remarkably close to what really comforts or satisfies me. And I can feel pretty darn good about it.
But as Blackaby warns, what looks attractive may actually lead to sin, ultimately destroying what is precious to us, for our most profound human thinking is mere foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 1:18-20 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.)
So, I repeat, how are we to know?
OK, this is why I love the scripture and stories tied to David so much. He messed up, badly, and his kids were a mess, too. Yet, as Paul stated in his preaching in Acts 13:22, God made David their king testifying that He found David “a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”
So there! That’s the testimony that I would love to have the Lord speak about me! Am I really ready for that? Remember, after David was identified and anointed as the next king, Saul was throwing spears at him trying to kill him. And, in fact, David never returned to the palace as long as Saul lived – 20 years!! He became a fugitive fleeing from Saul who took armies along to search David out to kill him. Just read the Psalms David wrote which point to fear and flight. He was constantly on the run and in hiding – that was his “soul journey”. And yet, his life manifested dependence on God! He is our model of that as he said in Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
That tracks Blackaby’s advice – if “we make decisions apart from the guidance of the Spirit of God, we will be like a ship trying to sail without a compass. We will do what makes the most sense, based on our own wisdom. But what looks attractive may actually lead to sin, ultimately destroying what is precious to us, for our most profound human thinking is mere foolishness to God.”
More wisdom — every opportunity that arises cannot be assumed to be from God / Satan disguises himself as an “angel of light” and will seem to be in your best interest / it is perilous to follow a path that seems right without first consulting the Holy Spirit for guidance. That last statement is the one I need to memorize and recite daily.
As I have been teaching and implementing my Family History Bootcamp, I have delved into the lives of my own ancestors which are a little closer in the pedigree charts to me than David of biblical times. The only photo I had of my great-great grandfather was taken in front of their house from so far away that they are “stick figures” and my mother (the only living relative above me at the time I saw the photo) did not know any stories about them. My mother was gone as I started doing genealogy research and found additional photos and a summary of his life in a County History compendium – woohoo!
He intrigued me! He and his brother joined the U.S. Army in 1855 to fight Indians at Ft. Leavenworth and assist settlers moving west along with killing buffalo to supply the food needs of the Fort. I got more insight as I learned that in the 1855 era, the U.S Army encouraged higher enlistment by advertising heavily and appealing to candidates’ bravery, patriotism, and interest in learning new skills. The Army also increased funding for enlistment incentives and recruiters. OK, that gives me a little more insight into him – I like to picture him patriotic, and maybe the money enticed him, too!
They served their 5 years and were out in 1860. Now, how he (a South Carolina/Georgia boy) made it down to Texas, met, fell in love and married in 1861, I don’t know yet. But in 1862, he shows up in Grayson County, Texas signing up for the Confederacy as a Cavalry soldier. Patriotic? Brave? I am pretty sure it was NOT for the money.
Whatever it was, he saw 2 years of bloody battles, starving and rough living conditions, and then in 1864 was captured and put in prison for a year until the war ended. Oh, would I love to fill in those holes in his life story in his digital album with his insights, experiences, and wisdom. I do know he made it home, had 14 children (10 living to adulthood), farmed cotton and became an itinerant preacher!!
His obituary was titled “Rev. W. D. McDonald” and contained the statement that “In early manhood…[he] converted and joined the Baptist Church…and served this church for many years as a minister. While he was a farmer by occupation, he found time to preach the Gospel, and in the pioneer days of this section went from place to place, preaching to the people. He was loved and honored by all who knew him and was a useful man to his community.” I don’t have any Psalms written by him pouring out his pain, fears and soul to the Lord, but I would so love to have something personal and in his words filling in important pieces of his story.
I would love to hear his description of his relationship with the Lord and how he sought Him, or followed Him, or didn’t at times – and what he would share with me, his way-down-the-line descendant who would listen intently to anything he had to say.
Yes, I am making my plea to you once again – set a time, place and intention to write (or dictate or record a video) preserving your faith story. Yes, you can do it in parts and in whatever fashion gets it put into a form that can be saved. And yes, it must go into a place that will safeguard it for generations to come. My criteria for that safeguarding is a digital place you own (not subscribe to) that is guaranteed to save it in whatever format becomes the current one so that it is shareable with your descendants from now, your lifetime, plus 100 years from now.
Meanwhile, if you want to know how to set up that “place” to save it, I would love to have you jump into my Family History Bootcamp which is being delivered again this week – just click HERE
And don’t be intimidated by any insecurity or fear about setting down in print your faith story. As Blackaby has encouraged us…”the Holy Spirit will assist you to understand truth and to experience abundant life. Trust Him as He leads you.” One thing I hear from so many as they do their life story is that they realize how the Lord has been with them in times and places they never were aware of until they looked back. Look back, remember His guidance is there for you in this as well as all you have ahead of you. I’m counting on it and will be here to encourage you whenever you need it.
