I took you FROM...

Scripture:

2 Samuel 7:8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.

Observation:

In this message from Nathan, God is saying that he doesn't want David to build a temple for him. God told David that his job was to unify and lead Israel and to destroy its enemies. This huge task would require David to shed a great deal of blood. In 1 Chronicles 28:3, we learn that God did not want his Temple built by a warrior. Therefore, David made the plans and collected the materials so that his son Solomon could begin work on the Temple as soon as he became king (1 Kings 5-7). David accepted his part in God's plan and did not try to go beyond it. Sometimes God says no to our plans. When he does, we should utilize the other opportunities he gives us.

Application:

God reminded David that He "took you from the pasture..."

As I read those words last night, I got to thinking what God has taken me from. As I meditated on that, the list began to grow:

He took me from death and gave me life!
He took me from anger and gave me peace in my soul
He took me from a spirit of offense and gave me a more mature love for people
He took me from emotional wounds and gave me healing.
He took me from a purposeless way of living and gave me purpose
He took me from a doctor's report that said "can't have children" to having four beautiful children that I am so proud of
He took me from Children's hospital and certain death of my baby girl, to a healthy 12 year old young lady.
He took me from legalism to a wonderful relationship with God through Jesus!
He took me from feelings of rage, to a spirit of control
He took me from a spirit of fear, and gave me the Spirit of power, love and a self-disciplined mind.
He took me from a lust filled past to a Spirit-filled present and future
He took me from darkness and brought me into His marvelous light
He took me from the land of strife and brought me into the land of joy
He took me from an insecure little boy to a man who knows who I am in Christ!
He took me from a mouth filled with filth, to a mouth full of the promises of God
He took me from being unthankful to daily thanksgiving.
He took me from worrying about every day things to giving me daily bread
He took me from certain defeat and made me more than a conqueror
He took me from wondering aimlessly in life to being chosen of Him
He took me from a sin-filled life and made me righteous
He took me from a regret-filled life and made me hopeful
He took me from a scarred life and brought healing
He took me from feeling everyone was against me to understanding that if He is for me it doesn't matter who is against me!
He took me from constant worry and brought me to understand His provision
He took me from questioning who God was to reveal Himself to me daily as I walk with Him
He took me from the miry clay and set my feet on the solid Rock to stay
He took me from dreading each day to understanding "this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice in it"
He took me from a negative attitude to a positive outlook on life
He took me from the road to hell and placed me on the road to heaven

I could go on and on! I am so thankful for what Jesus brought me from and to where He is taking me now.

Paul said something about that as well in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders (10) nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

That my friend, is truly "shoutin' ground!"

Prayer:

"Lord, as I go down through the list of what you have brought me from my heart is overwhelmed and my mouth wants to shout 'hallelujah!' There are so many things in my past that, at times, try to define me. But thank God, I am not defined by my past. I am not defined by what I 'used to be' I am defined by WHO you are making me to become. Thank you that you took me from darkness and brought me into your marvelous light. I am thankful that I have been 'washed', 'sanctified' and 'justified' in the name of Jesus and by Your Spirit. I just want to say thank You Lord for Your faithfulness to me! In Jesus name, amen!"