The Intersection of Circumstance and Destiny
There are dangerous intersections throughout America. If a person is unfamiliar with an area, it is very easy for them to be sitting at a very dangerous crossroad unaware of the danger that is looming.
A few years ago, a number of minister friends were traveling to a conference in Dallas. They found themselves nearly killed, but by the grace of God walked away, at a very dangerous intersection in Dallas, Texas. I remember as a small boy, my family hit at this very same place.
The point is we rarely understand the significance of where we are at the time.
“ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.” Eccl 9:11-12
I would like to point you to two people in Scripture that faced a pivotal point in their life.
There was a man by the name of Naboth that had something an Evil King wanted. The evil King knew that Naboth could not sell it, so he asked him to give it to him. Naboth informed the Evil King, that he would not give, sell or trade the inheritance that God had given him. We know that Naboth died in the process, but it was still his Vineyard. When the Evil Kings son died, they threw his body not in the Kings Vineyard, but Naboths Vineyard.
Naboth was willing to say, OVER MY DEAD BODY, I will not give you or sell you my inheritance.
His destiny was defined by his telling the Evil King NO. It cost him everything, but he maintained his integrity and his inheritance.
Can I tell you something, it is better to die for something of eternal value than to give, trade, sell or barter away what previous generations have established in their efforts of blood sweat and tears. It is better to say no and die, than to compromise and lose your soul.
The next person is equally of interest.
An orphan girl with nothing to offer was taken in by her generous uncle. Through the destiny of God, this little girl becomes the Queen of the Kingdom, through no small part of the wisdom of her little uncle. She is living in the lap of luxury and is given a chance to forget her roots. Through the machinations of an evil man, The Jews are under a death warrant and the word comes to her that she better do something. She finally realizes it is her responsibility to do what she can. In her decision, she makes this statement,
“If I Perish, I perish.”
She comes to the point she is willing to pay the price to say yes to the Lord. Her destiny was realized when she was willing to say Yes to the Lord.
Can I tell you something, our Destinies are realized when we are willing to follow the Examples of these Two Godly People.
To tell the Evil King of this World, I am not giving you what you want. We must have the Moral Integrity to say No, even if it cost you your life. Some things are worth dieing for.
We must be willing to Tell Jesus, Yes, even it is putting all that we hold dear in jeopardy. Because the truth of the matter is, everything we have is in Jeopardy to a greater degree if we don’t live up to our responsibilities.
We are living in Momentous Times. If we have ever been at the Intersection of Circumstance and Destiny as a Church, it is today.
Let us Rise up and Lay Hold of the Inheritance of Apostolic Purpose provided to us by our Fore Fathers. Let us at the same time Remind the Wicked King and His Worldly efforts to bring Compromise in our Lives, Over My Dead Body!
Destiny is determined by seemingly very small decisions.
I thankful for My Inheritance while aware of My Responsibility,
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott Phillips
www.inbythroughhim.blogspot.com
