Brokenness Before The Breakthrough

Scripture

10And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” 11So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. 1 Chronicles 14:10-12

Observation

If I had started off in this chapter of David’s story and read of the breakthrough he experienced over his enemies I would have assumed everything had been up and to the right for him since he had been anointed to be King by Samuel. The truth is however, that this man of God had to wait to 15 years to see the fulfillment of that word. Between the promise and the provision there were lots of problems. Defeating the Philistine Giant Goliath was a massive victory of course, but much of David’s story over the past 15 years was filled with a man broken hearted. The hatred of King Saul trying to kill him out of jealousy, the death of his best friend Jonathan, the betrayals of friends he thought he could trust.  Literally the chapter before this David saw his servant Uzzah die under the judgment of God because he had touched the Ark. David had ignored God’s command to go slow and carry the ark on poles. He wanted to get the Ark back to Jerusalem fast. As a result of hubris a man died and he was humiliated. Yet, it’s out of this brokenness we see breakthrough marked by humility. He returns the ark in reverence and extravagant worship choosing obedience over expedience. In this chapter he stops to ask God before battling the Philistines. Even after the first victory he doesn’t assume anything. He’s King and an experienced warrior, but God gives him a different strategy and all of Israel experiences the breakthrough. I love the description of the gods their enemies left behind that they burned in the fire. We serve a God who will never leave us behind, but will lead us through the fire of brokenness before the breakthrough.

Application

I needed this reminder this morning.  Right now I’m contending for breakthrough in a number of areas.  In each area, financial, relational, spiritual, I’m tempted to shift in to solution mode and do what worked before. I want to get things back to “normal” and so I try to control the uncontrollable and surprise, surprise nothing is going according to my plans. So, this morning I’m bringing God my broken heart over the circumstances and situations outside of my control and I’m putting my trust in the God of Breakthroughs. I’m letting go of my plans and asking for His. It’s kind of perfect that today is the National Day of Prayer. Before I go there in person I must go there in prayer. “3We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4aWe use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

Prayer

In my brokenness I call out to the God of Breakthroughs and am reminded of the many times over the years when You turned obstacles into opportunities for Your glory.  I’m slowing down and I’m inquiring about Your divine strategies. Forgive me for the pride and arrogance that assumes I know how the breakthrough is going to come.  You are not a God who leaves me behind and You are a God who leads me through. I know this is going to take way longer than I want it to, but Your will is worth the wait. I'm choosing obedience over expedience. I don’t know how You’re going to do it, but I know you will!