"You Have His Permission"

Scripture: "… Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." -2 Samuel 7:3, NIV

As adults, we have the freewill to do what we want to do and when we want to do it. However, if we turned back the hands of time, as children, we had to get our parents' permission to do what we wanted to do. I don't care if it was just you going to a basketball game at your high school, going to a movie with your teenage boyfriend/girlfriend, or just simply spending the night over a friend's house, you better ask Mama or Daddy for their permission. Usually, when Mama, Daddy, or both give you their permission, they expected you to act on your best behavior and not only represent them, but represent yourself in a respectable manner. If we draw the link to this thing spiritually, that's how God is with us. We have freewill to make most of life's decisions; however, when it comes to the big stuff and even not-so-big stuff, we need to consult with God and obtain His permission. Upon receiving His permission, we are to represent Him in a respectable manner. Today's text illustrates the blessing of having His permission.

We end the week the same way we began the week as far as location of today's main scripture, 2 Samuel. 2 Samuel served as a book to discuss the reign of King David during his forty-year reign over Judah and united Israel. Within this particular chapter, we find King David relaxed and enjoying the rest that God has blessed him with from his countless battles with his enemies. In this battle of life, there will be seasons where God will allow you to rest to heal up from the battles you have had to endure. Through this awesome time of relaxation and rest, David is disappointed about something. He's disappointed because he has this lavish palace and yet, the Ark of the Covenant (indicative of God's presence) is residing in a tent. Wouldn't it bother you if God's presence could not be in your respective palace or work place or home? With this thought in mind, it provides us the seg way into today's main scripture.

As David was making the declaration about the Ark of the Covenant being in a tent, he was saying this with Nathan the prophet around him. As Nathan heard what David was saying, God spoke something into his spirit that I would like to speak into your respective Spirit on today. He tells David, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it". Wow! Isn't that a powerful declaration for God to send through His manservant Nathan? There are oftentimes where fear has caused us not to operate in our callings and our gifts, but God says today "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it!" There are oftentimes where God wants us to expand our horizons and quit limiting Him to a finite area, He says today "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it!" The birthing of your business, the birthing of your non-profit, the birthing of better financial habits, the birthing of better spiritual habits, the birthing of re-structuring life's relationships, God says to you, my brother and to you, my sister, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it!" In other words, you have MY PERMISSION!

Why would God make such a declaration through Nathan for David and us today? Because the text closes by saying, "for the LORD is with you". If the Lord is for us, who can be against us? Ladies and gentlemen, stop letting fear dictate to you and start dictating to your fear! Start letting the enemy know that just as you have gained permission from God to mess with me, God has given me permission to step out and do the things He has placed in my hands! It's a blessing to know that we serve a God who loves us, even when we mess up, but that's good, because He's with us! He wants us to go to another level in Him and achieve the greatness He has placed inside of us! He needs us to step out and be His mouthpieces and proclaim His Word that others may know Him!

In closing, just as we use to ask our parents for permission to do things, we have to ask God for permission as well. In today's lesson, as Nathan told King David, God has given you, my brother, and you, my sister, the green light to pursue your dreams, your happiness, your joy, and the things that would make Him pleased and you effective! Through receiving this green light, know that God is with you! If He brought you to it, He will bring you through it!