Are We There Yet

(NLT) — 1 After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” “Yes,” the Lord replied. Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 David’s two wive s were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. So David and his wives 3 and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron. 4 Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah. When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, 5 he sent them this message: “May the Lord bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. 6 May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. 7 Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.”

Quick David Timeline

The unexpecting shepherd boy named David is picked by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Isreal because of Saul’s rebellion.

The Philistines are attacking Isreal and David fights Goliath.

Saul has David serving in the palace but becomes jealous and hates David.

David goes on the run for about 13-15 years.

Now we see David in

Saul has now died in battle and Isreal is without a leader it feels like complete chaos and now David is faced with a decision and David asks this question…

Are we there yet?

Tonight I want to speak to someone who is wondering, “am I ever going to get there??”

I want to speak to the person who has given up on the pursuit to God’s promise because the journey has milled away at your passion.

I want to speak to the young person who feels so far from the plan God has for you and I want to speak to the person that is so close but doesn’t even know it, but you are tiered of trying tiered of hoping…

We’ve all been there asking the question are we there yet…

(NLT) — 29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Are we there yet?

(NLT) — 13 For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Are we there yet?

(NLT) — 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Are we there yet?

I know your hand is on my life, but are we there yet…

You told me to keep praying for my family, but are we there yet…

You called me into ministry, but are we there yet…

We have all asked this question at some point in our lives…

POINT- God is faithful to keep his promises.

ILLUSTRATION- When we would ask that question on a road trip my mom would always say 5 more minutes… I think to teach us a lesson for when she would say to do something and we would respond with 5 more minutes.

I believe that the power of our text is seen not just in that God answers David, but in that David asks the question…

(NLT) — 1 After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” “Yes,” the Lord replied…

KEY POINT- For David to have asked God this question David would have to believe several key points. David’s question really is a strong statement.

For anyone asking God, “Are we there yet?” Like David we need to be in a place of complete surrender, trusting God, and honoring God with everything we have.

In David’s question to God we can see David making these statements…

1. Focused - I only want it if you are in it.

Understand this… Everyone in Isreal knew David and most people really liked David - remember before Saul went crazy people were singing, “Saul has killed his thousands but David has killed ten-thousands.” David was pretty popular and after Saul’s death David was a logical heir to the throne of Isreal…

POINT- Even after waiting 15-20 years for his promise he still is asking God if now is it with the obvious opening.

Right place right time…

ILLUSTRATION- How I got my job in Philly… Robyn calls and says there is a girl you need to meet I said be there in 3 hours, I was in the right place at the right time.

POINT- For some of you, you are in the right place but it is the wrong time.

-Think about when David could have killed Saul.

POINT- Some of you, your time is now but you are still in the wrong place.

-It was time for David to get out of the Philistine camp before he could get his fresh anointing for his purpose.

Right place right time…

KEY- God’s plan has a right place and a right time.

KEY POINT- Some of you are living frustrated because you can’t seem to be at the right place at the right time. This is because you are chasing after a promise instead of chasing after the giver of the promise.

POINT- If you were able to grab a hold of a promise of God on your own God wouldn’t have needed to speak it to begin with.

You see I’m not going to pursue the promise, I’m going to pursue the one who spoke the promise… So now when I expereince disappointment I’m not crushed I’m not overwhelmed because I still have his presence!

right place right time…

CHALLENGE- Pursue God the giver of promises because he is the one who will bring it into full view in the right place at the right time.

David asked is it time to go to Judah because though it seemed logical he was saying I only want this if you are in this.

KEY POINT- If man can fulfill the promise then man can destroy the promise, but if God made the promise then I know its all about right place right time.

2. Submitted - I understand the plan.

David asks is it time to go back to Judah. David doesn’t ask where do I go now, he specifically says Judah

KEY- It was up to David to see and understand the plan it was up to God to put David in sync with the plan.

KEY POINT- Fulfillment requires submission.

(NLT) — 1 After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” “Yes,” the Lord replied…

KEY- Before this David was mourning Saul and before that he had experienced the most devastating moment of his life, and before that while David still trusts God he is living among the Philistines kinda doing his own thing.

Let me explain…

Throughout a large portion of 1 Sam you read about David just doing his thing and at times being slightly reckless… but then we come up to & 30. David has been living deep in Philistine territory but the Philistines kick him out and he goes back to a small village where his family had been staying and while they were out at battle the Amalekites came in and burned their town captured all the women and children and were leading them off as slaves and the bible says David and his men wept till they could weep no more…

Those giving him temporary refuge hate him

The leader of his home nation hates him wants to kill him

And now another random group has burned his temporary home and taken his family…

But now David does what he should have done a long time ago…

(NLT) — 8 Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”

POINT- It is no surprise that David’s toughest moment was weeks away from his biggest breakthrough.

KEY- is when David asks God will I recover my family and when David asks God should I go to Judah are within 1-3 weeks of each other.

So why are you explaining all this???

It’s because your worst set backs and struggles those moments you want to quit and give up are simply just the precursor to your greatest awakenings your greatest breakthroughs your greatest victories.

KEY POINT- How is it in David so confidently asks is it time to go to Judah? its because in a few weeks prior when he gets back into God’s plan he learns I don’t need to know how from God, I don’t need to know why from God, I just need his promise because now I can submit to God’s word.

KEY- God is not in the habit of allowing those who are devoted make the wrong decision.

Conclusion…

KEY POINT- God is always faithful to lead and to guide when you are devoted he will not allow you to make a wrong decision.

God is a good father, and what does a good father do?? Does a good father tell you every detail of what you are to do everyday? Does a good father tell you what you must like, what you must enjoy?

A good father guides and leads but allows his children to make their choices while being there to stop them from making a choice that would destroy them…

Devote yourself to God

Surrender to his will

When you do these things every promise he has ever made you will come into full view!