LifePointe Christian Church

Life rarely goes as planned
It’s great to plan
But reality is greater

Some dreams will not come true
Some dreams can not come true

Under the impression that God promised: God owes you

What do we do when our dreams can not or do not come true?

Wilderness lesson: God’s Will, God’s Way, in God’s time

As King, David would undermine his own dreams coming true

David and Bathsheba
Every sin comes pre-packaged with a consequence

2 Samuel 12:11 This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you.

2 Samuel 12:12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’

2 Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

10 years later, the consequences of David’s sin turns his world upside down

Amnon and Tamar

2 Samuel 13:12 No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing.”

2 Samuel 13:14 But he refused to listen to her and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.

2 Samuel 13:15 Then Amnon hated her, with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he loved her.

David’s response? He did nothing.

David's sons: Absalom
Absalom kills Amnon
David does nothing

David invites Absalom back to Jerusalem
David refuses to see Absalom

Absalom so hurt, he decides to take the throne for himself

2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom stole the hearts of the people

2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’

16 years after David's sin with Bathsheba, his world unravels to entirely new levels

2 Samuel 15:13 A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.

This was NOT the dream. NOT the plan. NOT the expectation.

The Ark of the Covenant of God represented the presence of God for Israel

It appeared the presence of God was leaving the city and going with David

2 Samuel 15:25 Then the King said to Zadok, "Take the Ark of God back to the city."

Why David told Zadok to take Ark back to the city:

2 Samuel 15:25 If I find favor in the Lord's eyes, He will bring me back and let me see it, and His dwelling place again.

2 Samuel 15:26 But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”

Not my will, Thy will

David lost his world; but he did not lose his confidence in God

Ahithophel: David’s trusted advisor

Hushai: David’s trusted advisor

2 Samuel 17:7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time.”

2 Samuel 18:5 Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.

2 Samuel 18:6 The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

Joab butchers Absalom

David returns to Jerusalem but his world would never be the same again

Lesson of David’s life: He never lost his confidence in God

The foundation of our faith is not answered prayer

The foundation of our faith is not happily- ever- after endings

When we feel forsaken, we're mistaken

2 Samuel 15:25 If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, He will bring me back. 26 Let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.

Thy will, not my will

I may lose my world, but I will not lose my confidence or my faith in God

Psalm 25:1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. My hope is in you all day long.