Divine Repositioning!

Change is an inevitable part of life, however some changes are the result of an other-worldly motivation! Proverbs 19:21 Says it this way, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Perhaps you have experienced a time in your life when one season abruptly ended and another began! It was as if God himself tapped you on the shoulder and his divine finger motioned an immediate, deliberate and precise movement, from one place to another. Shift!

Its funny how we ask God to order our steps, followed by reaffirming a solid commitment to His will and purpose, and when He does, paralyzing shock results! Could it be that our requests were actually responses to kingdom calls? Even though the demands of a new season are unexpected and overwhelming, often resulting in fearfulness and uncertainty, the Bible testifies of many instances when YHWH orchestrated DIVINE REPOSITIONING.

To reposition is to strategically place in a different position to increase efficiency and widen the impact of one’s efforts on a specific target. It may also mean to return to the originally intended or proper position. In either case, an adjustment in posture, stance and perspective is necessary. Often, there's only one answer to be given regarding divine repositioning, "The Lord needs it..." (Mark 11:3). 1 Samuel 1:8 powerfully portrays an instance of Divine Repositioning.

Israel’s constant threat of war with the Philistines triggered a request that Samuel, the prophet, appoint a king to govern them like the other nations. God reminded a heavy-hearted Samuel that Israel was not rejecting his prophetic ministry but God’s leadership (1 Samuel 8:5). Samuel warned of grievous taxes and the king’s requirement for slaves, but to no avail. The tension between God’s holy desire, divine grace, and human free will is seen, as God personally selects their first human king, Saul, the Benjamite, in spite of Israel’s rejection.

A fallen hero’s demise usually diminishes much of the good which preceded their fatal mistake! Saul is no different. He’s famous for putting his own ambitions before the Lord’s desire, erroneously offering sacrifices on the altar (1 Samuel 13:9-12), disobeying YHWH’s command to destroy all Amalekites and their possessions (15:3), and aggressively seeking to murder David (18), his divine replacement. This begs the question, “What in heaven could YHWH have been thinking in his choosing Saul?” Yet, though Saul simply set out to find his father’s donkeys, God had orchestrated his acquiring kingship (1 Samuel 9), making Saul a prime example of one strategically repositioned for divine service.

Caution! This is not encouragement to undergird a tendency to stray off a set course. Instead, notice the trusted advisers, including Saul’s servant and the prophet Samuel, an extremely reputable seer. May this blog inspire the use of specific indicators to detect God’s will: 1)it will always serve to advance God’s kingdom agenda (the big picture); 2) it is never motivated by selfish ambitions; and 3) God will always confirm whats His!

I imagine Saul, a valiant warrior or ish chayil, as an extremely popular, oversized military hero, who, though trained, has natural ability. Born the son of Kish, in a family of warriors, he wouldn't have been spoiled, but definitely over confident with a tendency to take risks. Scholars see his traveling without a clue about the donkeys’ whereabouts as a sign of Saul’s spontaneous nature. He was handsome and distinguished by his physical stature, standing head and shoulders above everyone. Being sent to find his father’s donkeys was probably an ordinary course of events, only this time, his servant suggests they visit the seer for guidance.

Isn't it interesting that God chose an ish chayil as leader of his people? Chayil is a Hebrew word translated as power, war, elite, strength, might, valiant, wealth, capacity and army, excellent and more (see previous blogs). I submit that ish chayil and eschet chayil (a man and woman of valor) are emphasized in the scriptures as the Christian’s kingdom identity, a characterization directly applied to God himself (Psalm 118:15, 16), as well as David (1 Samuel 16:18), the Proverbs 31 woman (verse 10), and others. It signals the manifested presence of a force far greater than that of a mere human, to accomplish a usually difficult task, as in 1 Samuel 11:6, “And the spirit of God came upon Saul in power when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.” Saul had been activated to serve God’s agenda!

In modern times, individuals are activated to serve God’s purposes, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Dunamis, this Greek translation for power, is linked to the Hebrew word chayil (Septuagint). The Holy Spirit activates chayil agents as witnesses, those having authentic evidence, who become living proof of God’s love-based kingship for humanity!

May you commit to living life according to God’s agenda! May you respond to a kingdom call, simply because “the Lord needs it!” As an ambassador, may you submit to His divine repositioning and fulfill your life-assignment!

Proclamation: “Here am I Lord! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)