GIVING GOD THE 'IF ONLY'

2 Samuel 23:13-17    

The exact time in David's life that this story took place is not
clear.  But we do know several things:

   (1) David is in hiding, threatened, pursued by King Saul, at times
       emotionally drained and overwhelmed.

   (2) His promise, that one day he would be king is as yet
       unfulfilled. To his everlasting credit, David has not insisted
       on his rights, but has waited for the Lord to open doors.

   (3) His home town, Beth-lehem, is in the hands of the Philistines.

   (4) And in it all David is feeling very much "down."

I. THE 'IF ONLY' FEELINGS THAT COME TO US ALL:

The reason that this story appeals so much to us is that we can
certainly identify with David. His unique situation is also a
universal experience:

A. Aware of God's promise (God wants me; He wants to use me!)
. . . and in a sense believing . . . but yet

B.  Also very much aware of problems and circumstances.  There is the
temptation to feel that God doesn't really understand our feelings of
despair; that God doesn't care when we hurt.  To feel that somehow we
shouldn't be down when others are so much worse off than we are.  But
at the same time facing the prospects of a long time with no change in
sight.

C. And right here comes the temptation to a short-cut answer: Since
God's promise seems to far away-- since it seems like such a long time
to wait-- I'll settle for something less than His best!  A PRESENT
SATISFACTION!  And yet we know the truth-- there isn't any such thing
as a short-cut answer!

   Illus: Under pressure in New Jersey in 1962 early in my ministry
   there I recall thinking "IF ONLY!!" I had $1,000 I could move back
   to Ohio and start all over again . . . "

D. It HELPS to remember that these FEELINGS are just . . .  FEELINGS!
No real harm IF (IF!!) we don't indulge them, or let them hang around
and nurse them too long.  Feelings of loneliness, frustration,
uselessness are part of living.  BUT RIGHT HERE-- WE NEED TO BE
CAREFUL OF THE 'IF-WORDS!'  THE "IF ONLY" AND THE "WHAT IF"!!

   1) Here David said: "If only!"

   2) And, in David's case, he had an opportunity to be "satisfied!"
      [At great expense, personal risk, with LOVE, his friends broke
      through enemy lines and got him water from the well.]

   3) And David did a strange and wonderful thing: He poured out the
      water before the Lord!

II. REFUSING TO SATISFY SELF FIRST IS THE WAY OF SEEING GOD'S PROMISE
    FOR OUR LIVES FULFILLED

A. Perhaps David recognized the deeper meanings of his thirst for
Bethlehem's water:

   1) Bethlehem's well--

      a) perhaps it represented AN INNOCENCE HE COULD NEVER QUITE
         RECAPTURE; and

      b) no amount of water he drank could take away the fact that
         Bethlehem was in enemy hands.

   2) So David kept his goals firm: I'll go God's way, no cutting
      corners.

   Illus: Would $1,000,000 tax free cash change the basic goals of
   your life?  Life has a deeper meaning than things and what money
   can buy!

B. Refusing to satisfy himself at the cost of other men's risking
their lives was important, too.  DAVID REVEALED A QUALITY THAT I LIKE,
AND THAT I WANT IN MY LIFE!: LOYALTY, RESPECT FOR FRIENDS; NEVER USING
THEM.

C. David poured out his "if only" to God . . . along with

   1) Bethlehem's future!  And it, along with the well and all the
      water in the well, was soon his!

   2) David poured out his success/failure too. Not just here- but on
      two or three other occasions David had it in his power to
      "promote himself" to king-- to take things in his own hands and
      kill Saul. But David decided that God had promised, and God
      could open the doors!  All was God's-all was up to Him!  And he
      became a candidate for greatness.

A self-indulgent David would never have been a 'man after God's own
heart.'  David did not pull back from keeping God first.  David
maintained his integrity.

[Conclusion:]

We have faced the 'if only' trap many times in our experience!  Do you
recognize how the big "IF" can paralyze you?

When the feelings come-- and they will-- reject them!  No marriage has
ever been established without forgetting some "If onlys."  No
worthwhile long-term goal has been reached unless we have kept the
goal in mind.

Paul said: THIS ONE THING I DO!  If you truly belong to God, then
NOTHING can keep you from ultimately becoming what HE wants you to
become. And if you are NOT God's man or God's woman, then NOTHING can
ever make up the difference.  Not a million dollars.  Not anything!
NOTHING!

Will you deliberately give your "THIRST" to to God?  Will you trust
Him as you are just now?  Trust Him with ALL your future?

#397 - Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow