By: Unknown Author
1 CHRONICLES 14:14-17 ~ "Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations."
Hudson Taylor is generally known for his work with the China Inland Mission overseas. Yet another important aspect of his ministry was his work to promote missions in a time when few people wished to not only go to other nations but to financially support such endeavors. One night in Birmingham, England, Taylor was scheduled to speak to a group of believers at a local church about the importance of missions. Before he left to speak, the skies turned black and he was faced with a terrible downpour and gusting winds. Fearing for his safety, his hostess assured him no one would be present under such circumstances, yet Taylor was determined to attend the meeting, "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper."
Less than a dozen people were present for the meeting, yet Taylor poured his heart for missions out to them and stressed the importance of God's work in far away lands. There was no massive offering taken for Taylor's work, nor would many say that meeting was a monumental occurence in mission's history. But God worked mightily in the meeting and half of those present either became missionaries or saw their children become missionaries later in life. The other half became faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for the rest of their lives.
Because of Hudson Taylor's faithfulness—even in the midst of difficult circumtances when it would have been easy to justify staying home—he saw the blessing of many aiding his mission overseas. God's blessings came after his faithfulness.
The account of David's second attack on the Philistines is shown in 1 Chronicles 14, David sought God's commands, heeded His advice, and instructed his men to obey God's plan. Because of David's faithfulness, God blessed David with victory, "David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gideon even to Gazer. And the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations." As David was faithful to God, God was faithful to bless David.
Blessings follow faithfulness. While our goal in being faithful shouldn't be to receive blessings, God blesses those who faithfully follow Him. If we want to see success in our lives and if we desire to continue on God's path, we must faithfully follow His commands. This is not to say that faithfully serving God does not bring pain. Even godly people face sufferings and trials, but faithfully following God brings believers through such trials with the blessings of closeness to God and many times a greater testimony.
Friend, do you desire God's blessings on your life? He's given us His Word filled with guidance on how to faithfully follow Him. If you seek blessing, commit to being faithful to His every command. I know it's hard but ask the Lord to help you become submisive to His Word, to His commandments. Daily seek to live in a way that would honor Him in all you do.
God is not interested in how much we have, but in how faithful we have been. May the Lord find us faithful in everything we do and say.
1 CHRONICLES 14:14-17 ~ "Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations."
Hudson Taylor is generally known for his work with the China Inland Mission overseas. Yet another important aspect of his ministry was his work to promote missions in a time when few people wished to not only go to other nations but to financially support such endeavors. One night in Birmingham, England, Taylor was scheduled to speak to a group of believers at a local church about the importance of missions. Before he left to speak, the skies turned black and he was faced with a terrible downpour and gusting winds. Fearing for his safety, his hostess assured him no one would be present under such circumstances, yet Taylor was determined to attend the meeting, "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper."
Less than a dozen people were present for the meeting, yet Taylor poured his heart for missions out to them and stressed the importance of God's work in far away lands. There was no massive offering taken for Taylor's work, nor would many say that meeting was a monumental occurence in mission's history. But God worked mightily in the meeting and half of those present either became missionaries or saw their children become missionaries later in life. The other half became faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for the rest of their lives.
Because of Hudson Taylor's faithfulness—even in the midst of difficult circumtances when it would have been easy to justify staying home—he saw the blessing of many aiding his mission overseas. God's blessings came after his faithfulness.
The account of David's second attack on the Philistines is shown in 1 Chronicles 14, David sought God's commands, heeded His advice, and instructed his men to obey God's plan. Because of David's faithfulness, God blessed David with victory, "David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gideon even to Gazer. And the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations." As David was faithful to God, God was faithful to bless David.
Blessings follow faithfulness. While our goal in being faithful shouldn't be to receive blessings, God blesses those who faithfully follow Him. If we want to see success in our lives and if we desire to continue on God's path, we must faithfully follow His commands. This is not to say that faithfully serving God does not bring pain. Even godly people face sufferings and trials, but faithfully following God brings believers through such trials with the blessings of closeness to God and many times a greater testimony.
Friend, do you desire God's blessings on your life? He's given us His Word filled with guidance on how to faithfully follow Him. If you seek blessing, commit to being faithful to His every command. I know it's hard but ask the Lord to help you become submisive to His Word, to His commandments. Daily seek to live in a way that would honor Him in all you do.
God is not interested in how much we have, but in how faithful we have been. May the Lord find us faithful in everything we do and say.
"Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." (Deuteronomy 7:9)
