What Is Your Response?

Not Greatly Moved!

Psalm 62:2 NKJV

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

Last week, we talked about Nehemiah, and how he remained, regardless, because he had a greater expectation; after he heard of the conditions of the people, and the state they were in, his response was immediate, but he did not move from a place of emotions, although his countenance had change, because he had an obligation to the king, which he could not leave abruptly - and because he did so accordingly, he went forward with authority from the King, a letter with the kings seal (write this down - I Am Sealed By The King)

Do you have the power, to respond accordingly? Or are we just conditioned to “knee jerk” reactions, because it is convenient, and offers up an excuse to our response, when it was proposed?

I know, but Pastor, there are those instances that your human nature will just jump at - I get it, and many will say that is just who I am, Pastor, and I cannot help it, but what if I told you that you can, would you be willing to follow me?

Response = Reply, Answer, Give Evidence, Testify, Respond To What Was Said, Follow Willingly

How important is counsel, specifically with what we are experiencing in this season? Proverbs 24:6 “6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

We are often challenged with external stimuli, that seemingly promotes a required a response, or answer; but an answer is not simply replying to a question. . .

We have been conditioned to just accept our involuntary reflexes as the truth, because it is just that, involuntary. . . So you say that you cannot do anything about it, right?

Reflex = to bend backwards, turn away, also of thoughts or the mind “involuntary nerve stimulation”

Yes, there are some reflexes that you may not have control over, but with practice, you can control what seemingly cannot be controlled, but you have to desire to be in control of it and put in the work to control it!

A boxer cannot duck at every punch, they must practice when to move and when to throw a punch!

It is Mind over matter - what you don’t mind, won’t take up matter in your thinking. . .

Your response can be predicated on what has controlled over your thinking, especially having endured prior events , or having knowledge of those events, before this particular encounter, or circumstance you are facing in the season. . .

Remember Abraham lied about his wife, Sarah?

Remember Elijah ran because he saw what Jezebel said and it troubled him so. . .

David changed his behavior , 1 Samuel 21:10-15

1 Samuel 21:10–15 NKJV

10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” 12 Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

Notice, because they knew of his past and who he is, David changed his behavior before them and pretend madness. . .

In this season, do not allow yourself to be so greatly moved by where you are, and whose presences you are in - remain, regardless, for you have a greater expectation!

Don’t allow your circumstance, nor your own opinion, to determine your response!

You have the knowledge of The Living God, Whom has never failed you and gives you a hope that does not disappoint!

So regardless of what you are seeing now, regardless of whose in the white house, or your house - Joshua 24:15 “15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””

Because I am on the other side of it - I have been through the storm, but I am better and have matured!

How are you, with your Holy Spirit Filled Self, allowing the momentary things move you?

If you allow your heart and mind to remain in the sealing, and your response will match your claim of Faith!

Ephesians 1:13 “13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”

So I am sealed on every side - I run on to see what the end is going to be, because I have a greater expectation. . . What is your response, in this season?

I will give you this one point, that will help mold your responses from this day forward:

Psalm 34:1 NKJV

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Jesus asked a question to His Disciples: “But, who do you say that I AM!” Then after Peter spoke, Jesus pronounced Blessings upon him. . .

The reason I am blessed is because, even though I may be weak, I know that Him In Me is strong - This level of understanding and faith does not come from flesh, but The Father, Who Art In Heaven. . . .

So as David was facing Goliath, he did not respond with fear, but with an assurance from what God had already done for him!

David began to testify of all the things that God had done! Saul, I know what it looks like, but God. . . 1 Samuel 17:34–37 “34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!””

In this season, your response must contain the evidence of God’s Goodness and His Mercy!

You have to testify and not become so arrested by what you are up against right now!

I came to encourage you this morning !

God told me to ask you this question; Have you really turned it over to Me? He says; if you have, then why are you still responding that way to “It?”

Why do you even communicate with what you have said, is in My Hands?

David could not have written the Psalm 34:1 “1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” without changing his posture and response. . .

That’s it right there - some of us do not want to alter our posture, but in this season, you are going to have to get out of the cuteness and just allow God to use you as He please!

You worry, when you know that cannot add to you, but yet you do!

Goliath did not greatly move David; remember, one of the meanings of “Response” is to give evidence, and testify!

So instead of David fearing like the rest of them did, he remembered Who Empowered him to be here, so he had confidence to contend with the giant!

Even David’s brother tried to deflate his confidence!

Be mindful of those whom are whispering sweet nothings in your ear, all they are trying to do is deflate your confidence and change your response because they are jealous that you are not fearful and in misery as they are!

The reason why David says that “His praise will continually be in my mouth. . .” is because Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I told you that your posture must change and be settled in God’s line of sight, so that you can always see Him past the problems and rhetoric!

You have a blessed assurance, so it does not matter what man does! Because I believe in The Lord Our God, The Son of Man, Whom God raised from the dead and I know He Lives - Therefore, I can face it!

I am not so easily moved because He has not given me a fearful spirit, so I can wait silently for Him, and I will not be greatly moved by anything, for I know He is my Rock and my Salvation, and He is my defense! I will not be moved at all! I trust Him, therefore I praise Him!

Jesus was taken from judgement hall to judgement hall, yet He remained, regardless, because HE had a greater expectation!

There is no other example on how to respond properly, than how Jesus responded with impending persecution upon Him!

They tried to trick Him with the law, but He overcame with The Word - He was tempted, but resisted the enemy with The Word!

He went on to Golgotha hill. . . Which He said that He must endure, so that The Helper May Come. . . And because I have heard The Truth, and Trust Him - I believe that The Promise is with me, The Holy Spirit of God!

Jesus is the Author and Finisher - look nowhere else, for He has Finished The Work and you have an expected end to get to!