A Season Of Standing Down

I remember very clearly when the Lord gave me permission to “sit down” (aka “stand down”) from a particular ministry that I had been part of for many years. In my early years as a student pastor, I had left my first ministry in frustration. I look back and realize that I ran from a struggle rather than face it. I was immature and quite frankly a bit stupid. I was trying to follow the Lord, but I’m pretty sure I was calling the shots. I’ve since had the opportunity to apologize to most everyone involved in that situation. So one of the valuable lessons I learned as a leader was to be a follower of God before I tried to be a leader of anyone. The Lord will always lead me IF I will listen and trust His leadership. I’ve learned to stay put when the Lord says stay put. I’ve also learned to move when He says move.

The prophet Samuel, who is now deceased, had anointed David king of Israel and David is fleeing for his life from Saul. David is hanging out with the Philistine king Achish. David is standing down and laying low waiting on the Lord’s timing. The Philistines and the Israelites are about to go to war. David could be coming to a crossroads of decision. Check this out…

2 As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. 3 The commanders of the Philistines asked, ‘What about these Hebrews?’

6 So Achish called David and said to him, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased for you to serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. 7 Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.’

11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel. (1 Samuel 29:2-3, 6-7, 11 NIV)

I find it hard to imagine the frustration of David’s situation. He has his family with him, but he’s separated from his brothers and their families. He can’t just come in for the holidays because Saul is threatening his life. He is a leader who is in a season of standing down. He is still leading the men who are with him. It’s clear to him that the Lord is still in charge.

When I go through seasons of “sitting down”, I know that the Lord is still working in me and building in me. It’s not always comfortable waiting on the Lord, but I believe He rewards patience while He works. While David was with the Philistines, God was preparing the way for David to become King of Israel. It’s almost as if the Lord was hiding David. I must remember that while I’m waiting on the Lord, He’s not standing down or sitting down. He is multi-tasking behind the scenes to set up where He wants me and what He wants me to do. My role is to trust in Him and wait. I will move when He says move. I’m grateful for God’s call upon my life and I’m thankful for the way He has built my heart. I’m cultivating His Presence in me even as I write these words. I would rather be a nobody with the Lord’s Presence in me, than somebody without His Presence in me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne