Session Three of our study was the first of two sessions with one of our favorite teachers ~ Beth Moore. In this session, Beth took off from where Priscilla left off... King David preparing to move the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem after it had been taken by the Philistine Army.
As Beth got started in her talk, she reminded us women that the Word of God is for life and encouraged us to not leave our difficulties at home. When we bring those difficulties out of the dark, then God can do something with them.
Beth's first point in her talk was that "we can have a good idea that's not a God idea" (Luke 2:4) David wanted to build God a house. David, who lived lavishly in a palace, had decided that God should have a home instead of the portable tent the Ark of the Covenant resided within. God had other ideas for David. God's intent was to build a "house" for David... a royal house and legacy. Beth suggested that to David, upon hearing God's plan for him and his family, this was one of those times when we are stricken with astonishment, sitting back and seeing the awesome things God has done for us. Beth called them in point 2 the "This Far" moments with God.
She defined "this far" moments as those times when we wake up to the fact that we're not where we once were anymore. It's those moments when God Himself makes His glory conspicuous. Can you relate? Have you ever had those moments when you are blown away by how far God has brought you on your journey of faith? I sure have!
Beth continued to say that we can't live our calling or destinies in our own power. We can only do it through God. When we allow Him to empower us by His Holy Spirit, it is then that we can start to see miracles in our lives happen.
The next point Beth shared was that "there's a big difference between relief and release". That's the temporary vs. the transforming power. It's the hopping from one pit to another with a breather in between vs. hopping out of the pit once and for all. I don't know about you, but I want release from the pit!
Beth shared that "God has come to absolutely mark our lives with His glory... He's come to take us "this far"... SO FAR it HAS to be God!" He's not done with us until we're blown away by what He's done in us. She continued... "God is not interested in just adjusting our lives. He wants us TRANSFORMED! Not a tweak, but a full-fledge "SO FAR" transformation". What does that look like? It looks like completely transformed desires, loving what He loves, hating what He hates... letting Him get to our hearts and circumcise them.
At this point in her message, Beth took a little detour of sorts, shifting the focus onto relationships in our lives that may need transformation, such as praying for loved ones. In her humorous way, Beth reminded us that "baggage attracts baggage" and that we are all flawed. She reminded us that there is power in the spoken word and she encouraged us to call out our loved ones names to God as we pray Scripture over them. She encouraged us to pray with everything we've got for them, leaving the "worry" of them to God.
She then went back to ask the question about transformation: What will it take to get there? What can we do to co-operate with God? Firstly she stated...
We've got to move past our (personal) devastation with God. (2 Sam 6:1-10) to which I give a hearty AMEN!! In 2 Samuel 6, David is devastated. While moving the Ark of the Covenant, poor Uzzah stretched out to steady the Ark when immediately upon his finger brushing it BAMM... he was dead on the ground. Here David thought they were doing a good thing by bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem, but the method they were using was not a God thing. Because of disobedience, Uzzah paid the ultimate price. David was ANGRY (v8) at God and then AFRAID (v9) of God. Been there? Ever felt that way about God in your life? Beth told us that nothing can throw us more in our faith walk than when God doesn't act the way we expect Him to. We don't trust Him. He didn't do what we told Him to. I don't know about you, but I spent way too long in that dark pit of devastation. Beth said we can live there the rest of our lives if we want to - the choice is up to us, but she suggested a better way. Move past it. Seek God. He will always meet us when we seek Him with our whole heart. What if David had never been able to get past this moment? Stay tuned for Week Four's session notes to find out what happened next!
I read your posts regularly...I think you are doing an awesome job. I find it refreshing to go back and be reminded of what we learnt. Thx nandini
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