That’s My Girl!

What other people think of you is none of your business. On the other hand, what God thinks of you is your business! Who is the loudest voice in your life? If it is not God, then I/you/we are in trouble!

Allowing other people to play God in your life is a very dangerous thing. You know why? People aren’t God. Only God is God! Isaiah 8:13 says, “Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else.” Amen and Amen! People may be good people and well meaning but we need to recognize they are not God. Yes, anything, even someone’s opinion or approval, that comes before God is a dangerous place to live. WE cannot be addicted and seeking the approval of man and, at the same time, seek the approval of God!

If God tells you to do something or gives you something to accomplish…a goal, a dream, a vision…the size of God in your life … will determine…you accomplishing it, not people. Oh people can help and come along beside you and it will be God who sends them. HE will show you. If you study Scripture you find anyone called to accomplish things for God is going to be met with opposition. YOU CAN bank on it!

I love studying the life of David and the story of David and Goliath. Today I want to draw your attention to the “people” in David’s life who were “naysayers” long before he got to “swinging his sling at Goliath”.

First, note this: David was actually serving at the time that he got his call from God to fight Goliath. But back up a bit and you see first that David’s own dad DELAYED David. When Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king, David wasn’t even a consideration to his father. “Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here'” (I Samuel 16:11). Maybe it could be your family, even your dad or mom or spouse, that can seek to delay God’s call on your life. Seek God not family.

Second, the culture around David as he saw Goliath’s taunts. “He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, ‘Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me’…When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid” (I Samuel 17:8,11). Everyone was afraid. Note here: often the majority is wrong. That is why it is dangerous to lean into the majority’s opinion or fear.

Look at the story of Joshua and Caleb. They were in the minority and no one listened. Look at what it cost. Lesson: do not let the culture and the majority’s opinion influence you above God’s influence.

Third, experts can be naysayers as they were with David. He was not a soldier trained for battle but he was a shepherd. The expert, the king, a mighty warrior, tried to discourage David. So be careful about experts. Experts built the Titanic.

Look at Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life”. It was the Number 1 best seller for 4 years. No other book besides the Bible has been republished like this one. It has sold 56 million copies and been translated into 137 languages. FOUR top experts, publishers, the tops in their profession as editors, all sent it back and told him it would fail. He supposedly wasn’t a talented writer and needed to hire a “ghost writer”. Wow! Be very careful with experts. They should not come in front of God. God is God and they are not!

Fourth, you will be judged and misjudged by others. When David wanted to fight Goliath and asked about the reward, his brother judged his motive…and God’s call. “Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, ‘Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle’” (I Samuel 17:28). When God calls you to do things, very often…in fact quit often…you will be misunderstood, misjudged and maligned.

“All eyes on God.”…God sized calls require God first. HE very often calls us to things that seem impossible and out of our “wheel house”. DUH…it is so we can see Him, depend on Him and know it is HIM working in our lives!

Thank God David didn’t give into the opinions of others…to delays, discouragement, to disapproval. Four quick suggestions to take your eyes off of the “naysayers” in your life.

1. Remember, they are NOT God! Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of human opinion disables, but trusting God protects you.”

2. Don’t get distracted. Read the story of Nehemiah. God told him to rebuild the wall. He was faced with ridicule, rumors, threats and distractions (all naysayers–they even wanted to engage in conversation in which Nehemiah refused). Lesson: there are some people who are not going to like you. It doesn’t matter what you do. Eyes on God!

3. Never attack back with your naysayers. Billy Graham says it like this, “When you wrestle with a pig there is only one that enjoys wallowing in the mud.” And claim Matthew 10:26 for your life when you are following God and obeying. “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” Amen and Amen! God exposes. We have to lean into Him! and Trust Him! Proverbs 11:12, “….But the one who has understanding holds their tongue.”

4. Focus on God not people or problems. Psalm 118:6, “The Lord is for me, so I will NOT be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” [emphasis added].

I want God to say, “That’s my girl!” and the only way I know I am going to hear that is if I have “all eyes on God” not people! Remember this….when under attack “you are most like Jesus when you remain silent!” Go for God today. Allow HIM to fulfill His purpose in your life today. People may come along beside you and some will be God sent and some will not. EYES on God to discern the difference!

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