A Path Among the Rocks

“In the spring of the year, the time of year when kings went out to battle…David remained in Jerusalem.”  2 Samuel 11:1

David was a fighting king, and spring was an established season for battle in those Old Testament times because, quite simply, the weather was good.  The winter rains were over, and good weather makes for a good fight.  David knew this better than anyone, but David didn’t go out with his army to fight that spring.  He made a decision to stay in Jerusalem.

I think I am pretty safe in saying that this was not the usual character or behavior of David.  Normally, he would inquire of the Lord as to whether his army should fight a particular battle, and if the Lord said go, he went.  If the Lord said go a different route, or wait, then, that’s what the army, with David as their leader, did.  See 1 Samuel 23:2; 1 Samuel 30:8; and 2 Samuel 5:23. 

So, what happened to David that he made the decision not to go when his army went to battle?  Was he disillusioned?  Restless? Bored? Tired?  Frustrated with things at home?  His job?  Looking for greener grass on another rooftop? Did he grapple with the decision to stay home instead of doing what he was supposed to do, or was it an impulse decision?  We don’t know exactly what his thought process was, but that one decision led to several others that had serious, deadly consequences (2 Samuel 11-12).

That space between a thought, a decision and ultimately the action taken based upon that decision is the space where we most need to grow in wisdom, patience and surrender to God’s lordship over our lives.  For our purposes today, let’s call this space between thought, decision and action, the “Space Between.”

It is a sure sign that we are growing in our faith and maturing as a Christian if we are lengthening our time spent in the Space Between and using that time wisely to seek the Lord’s counsel as we make our decisions and take the resulting action. 

We don’t want to allow the Space Between to become the Land of the Lost where we lose track of ourselves, including who we are and what we’re about, so there are several things that we need to be sure of when we enter the Space Between:

• We need to be clear that there are only two choices:  the right choice and the wrong choice.  It’s a lie of the enemy that says that we can live somewhere in between.  We can’t, and we shouldn’t allow the gray to be the wallpaper on a house of cards that we build for ourselves based upon that “somewhere in between right and wrong” decision.

• In making our decision, we must know and believe and stand on the fact that God cares deeply about the choice you make.  Every choice.

• God can and will help you with your decision.

• Prayer and the Bible will help you to discern the voice of God in the Space Between.  Don’t think for a moment that there won’t be other voices trying to help you make your decision.  The enemy will be whispering quite loudly with such noise that it will be an effort to silence his nonsense.  I know this personally because I’ve had a head full of noise from the enemy for several days now which I believe was an effort to hinder my writing about this topic. This tells me that someone needs to hear this today.  James 4:7 tells us to “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  It’s important to remember that we need to submit ourselves to the lordship and protection of God over our lives as part of that resistance.  The enemy is too strong to do otherwise. 

With these things in mind as we step into that Space Between, we need a practical process to help us make our way through to the right decision.  In my line of work, we use the concept of decision trees quite often to assess our risks on a particular project and to help us make the best decision with the least risk for our business.  I love a good decision tree. We can use the concept of a decision tree with every decision we need to make if we will tarry long enough in the Space Between to use it. 

Like applies of gold (Proverbs 25:11), the fruit of a decision tree will include a well thought out and rightly determined decision and plan of action that has considered all the consequences, both good and bad.

This fruit also includes having weighed the cost of each path of decision.  (Luke 14:28).

This fruit is sweetest and most satisfying when it has been washed in the Word of God and ripened by the illuminating light of the Holy Spirit’s leading. (Isaiah 30:21)

If you are, at this moment, in the Space Between, give yourself the gift of just five more minutes before you make your decision.  Allow the Lord to speak to your heart on the matter.  Consider the consequences.  Count the cost.  Listen for the Holy Spirit.  Let your decision be soaked in the Word of God first before you act on it.  Who knows but that it may mean the difference between life and death – Romans 8:6.

Consider the following verses as the branches in your divine decision tree to know, understand and believe that God is for you, and is intimately involved in the details of your life and the decisions you are faced with making today. 

I am praying for us all – something tells me that the doors of heaven need to be knocked on for someone today.  I’ll be over here knocking and praying for you while you work your way through the Space Between.  Take your time. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Proactive:  Psalm 25:5 – Lead me in your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.

Defensive:  Job 23:10 – But God knows the way that I take, and when He has tested me, I will come out like gold. 

Promise:  Isaiah 41:10 – “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”