Faithfulness in the Circumstances

“The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Discontent, disappointment, and hopelessness seem to be a common theme among people I love these days. Yet there is one major thing they all have in common that I am in awe of about all their lives… faithfulness. Somewhere along the way, we have traded the significance of faithfulness for the idea that God is not moving in us unless it’s in the spectacular. While the Bible is full of God doing amazing things it is usually imperfect people simply being faithful in their every day lives and sometimes God interrupts them for a specific purpose at a specific time. Take David, for example, a simple shepherd boy, taking care of sheep; in his boredom firing stones at trees, just in case one day wolves attack. Lounging in the sun, songs are written to God before running errands for family as they do the “important work”. – Nothing spectacular about that, in fact, some would say that was boring or mundane. Then one day God singled him out by sending a man to search for and anoint him for a future purpose. Perhaps like David, some of you have a word from God, or a purpose put in your heart that has not yet come to fruition and, like David, nothing changed from before the Word to after. It’s easy to miss that it took David up to 14/15 years between being first anointed to becoming King. Not easy years either. Within that time, he served under the position God had said was for him, was forced to flee in fear of his life, had his reputation smeared, didn’t know who he could trust / would stab him in the back, and served in areas and for people that could have seemed out of line with his “calling.” It doesn’t really make sense. Until you look at his character and what he knew of God’s.
“One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving. Surely You will reward each person according to what He has done.” – Psalm 62:11-12
Circumstances that could have easily defeated him he used to honor and serve God: • He chose to honor the current King in a way he would like to be honored when put in that position. • He chose to act with integrity and openness when it could have easily been used against him. • He chose to lead people simply because they were in front of him, when he could have seen it as settling for less. • He chose simple obedience to the heart and values of God not because of position and title but in understanding that it is up to God, not man, to make things happen in His timing. It is simply our job to serve daily where we are with what we have to those around us… acting justly, loving mercy, walking humbly. So many times David could have given up, doubted and gotten angry with God. He could have allowed his circumstances to make him bitter. But instead he chose faithfulness trusting in God to keep His promises. And when the time came, God brought it to fruition. Friends, I pray that you would find strength and courage in knowing that God sees you and is so pleased with the way you are choosing faithfulness, that nothing delights Him more. I pray you would not minimize the impact you are having on those around you and you would find joy in serving God where you are while holding on to the “one day”, until the day you stand before God and He says, “well done good and faithful servant.” Action Point: Read David’s story in chronological order, making note of timings and character forming moments. Journal your journey as God speaks to you and just as David’s “waiting” was not insignificant, trust that yours isn’t either. Daniella Kirk is the founder of Operation Open Eyes – an anti-human trafficking initiative. You can follow her journey on Instagram, Facebook or Website.