When thinking about God’s purposes, we first have to diminish or remove our part of the equation. This may sound odd, but human perspective typically revolves around or emphasizes self. So we start thinking, not what’s in it for me, or what does God want me/us to do, but what does God want to do—period. As we mean it, God reveals His greater purposes– His cause; which first is to bring glory and honor to His name and demonstrate that He is who He is.RELEVANCE
Two people in the Bible who had a clear understanding of this were Joshua and David. In Joshua 5 we find the children of Israel having just crossed the Jordan to enter the Promised Land. Joshua sees a man, who identifies himself as Commander of the army of the Lord. He falls to the ground to worship and asks, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Joshua got his answer; marching orders.
In another incident, when the army of the Philistines came against the people, their champion, Goliath, mocked God and scorned the people. David responded, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? …Is there not a cause? …Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine…You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied….that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:26-45)
We know the end of the story. David killed Goliath with a sling and a stone. What drove the rock into Goliath’s head, though, was God’s purpose– to demonstrate His might and glory. What brought down the walls of Jericho was God’s purpose– to demonstrate His faithfulness and His glory.
REFLECT AND RELATE
As you consider God’s purposes, wipe your slate of ideas clean. Approach it the way Joshua and David did. Ask the Lord some crucial questions. For example:
LORD, what is Your cause…your purpose…your will?
LORD, how can you be glorified through me?
Walk firmly in gratefulness and obedience. Maintain an attitude of worship. God will reveal His purposes and/or ask you to start moving in a particular direction…until He reveals more or gives you some cues.
REFERENCES
Joshua 5:1-6:27