HSD: Not Punishment—Positioning.

Come here. Come take a walk with me…

I’d like to start with the Word today from the book of 1 Samuel chapter 17.

Now, I’m sure you know the story of David and Goliath, but you may have been overlooking one of the most important lessons hidden in the details.

The scriptures I’d like to highlight say the following:

“Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand.” (17:40)

And also…

“Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone…” (49:50)

What if I told you that David and Goliath weren’t the only main characters in this story?

We overlooked one silent hero in all this…

David’s stone.

Before David’s stone was a victory leading character, it was first….

Stepped on.

Overlooked.

Walked over.

Kicked.

Trampled.

Before it was chosen, it was seemingly invaluable.

But once it was called to action as a chosen stone among 5 others, it was positioned securely in a rubber band brace, stretched all the way back to ensure maximum impact once released, and it held its position for the call of the hour. In fact, the tension around the stone was intentionally created to prepare the stone for its purpose.

What does all of this mean, though, right?

My chosen sibling-in-Christ…

Right before you are catapulted into victory and success,

You might feel overlooked, invaluable, kicked, and trampled.

Your environment may feel like its brewing with tension.

This tension may also be found in other spaces, relationships, or areas in your life.

You may even feel as though, just like that stone, you are being pulled back into a place you’ve already found deliverance.

But know this.

The tension created around you is absolutely necessary to ensure maximum impact of your testimony in the hour of your success.

The tension you may be experiencing in your environment, in your relationships, in your job, in yourself is evidence of your positioning.

God is not punishing you; He is positioning you.

The warfare you are experiencing isn’t meant to destroy you; it is preparing you.

The ways you fall short doesn’t disqualify you, rather He is purging you.

If you take nothing from this talk, remember this:

If your position hasn’t changed, then neither has His.

If your position hasn’t changed, you are still in position.

What does this mean?

If you still love Jesus with all of your heart…

If no matter what things look like, you haven’t given up on Him…

If your position as a child of God is still your personal reality despite the warfare,

you are still being positioned to receive the greatness assigned to your purpose.

That’s just that. Final answer. Close the book.

Have you fallen short on a spiritual test? Repent, ask for forgiveness, and ask the Lord to help you address it and move on.

He allowed it to expose what must be addressed before the release. The purging process requires the exposure and extraction of all unaddressed areas (Purging process post coming soon). Do not dwell. Move forward knowing you are still being worked on and that you are still in position.

Does every area of your life seem to be pulling you backward? Worship. Remember who God is and to whom you belong. Your feel like you’re being pulled backward because your positioning requires the tension around you to build the strength needed to manage all that is before you. Hold on and worship.

Facing opposition and persecution? Pray. You are likely being prepared to manage ridicule based on your obedience to Christ on a larger scale. If He cannot trust you to handle persecution for His Name’s sake on a small scale, you can’t be trusted to deal with the pressure of serving others in your obedience to Him on a large scale.

Do not despise the tension. Seek Him to rise to the occasion.

Do not despise the warfare. Find strength in God to fight back His way.

Do not despise where you are no matter how invaluable you may seem to others, the time for your release is coming.

Notice this.

The word did not say that David put a few stones together to sling them at the same time.

The chosen stone was used for its time alone.

So, when you are released into your victory, God will likely call you to do so alone.

Yes you, the once rejected. The once overlooked. The once trampled. You will be used for the glory of God.

Matthew 21:42 says this,

42 Jesus saith unto them, did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

Embrace your season. Your breakthrough is almost here.

I, too, receive this Word.

Pray on this. Understand this, and if led, receive this.

And of course…

In every single thing you do,

Do it all with Love.

Holy Spirit, I thank You for this Word today. Please let it meet the eyes of every person who needs to hear this so that they may be encouraged to move forward and lead others to you with Love. We love You, Lord, and we thank You. In Jesus’ Name to the Glory of the Father, we thank You. Amen.