Breakthrough! By Tom Hovsepian

Do you know anyone who isn’t going through a difficult time right now financially? I sure don’t! But there is something interesting I’m seeing in the midst of all these hard times; there are a remarkable number of people I know who are actually saying that they are grateful to the Lord for their present struggles. They recognize that God is working deeply in their lives and bringing about significant change…. the kind of change that will ultimately result in breakthrough.

David experienced a few “breakthroughs” during a significant period of his life: In 1Chronicles 13 we read how David had just become King of Israel. One of his first steps as king was to bring the Ark of God to the city of Jerusalem. After conferring with his officials and commanders he began what he felt were the needed steps to make this happen.

Soon the joyous procession begins: “They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.” (1 Chr 13:7)

Unfortunately there’s an “oops” along the way: “When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah….David was afraid of God that day and asked, ‘How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?’” (1 Chr 13: 9-12)

Oh, how I can understand David’s progression of emotions toward the Lord. He must have thought, “I’m trying to do all of this for You God, now look what you did!” Then he lapses into, “I guess I don’t know you as well as I thought, in fact you’re kind of scary.”

What happens next is fascinating: “Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.” (1 Chr 14:1-2)

It was this graciousness that seems to cause David, even in the midst of the Ark debacle, to realize that the Lord had established him as King for the sake of His people. The Lord was expressing His approval of David even after a terrible mistake.

Now, here comes David’s breakthrough; The Philistines hear David has been crowned King and immediately attack Israel. David’s response is classic; this time he doesn’t counsel with his officials and commanders, but instead he “inquires of the Lord.” God shows him specifically what to do, and sure enough God was right—the Philistines are soundly defeated! Later, they attack again and David won’t dare lean to his own understanding but seeks the Lord a second time. Now God’s response is classic. He tells David something bizarre; He says David is not to take his army the way he did before but to circle around behind them and wait in the balsam trees until the wind starts to rustle the leaves. It is then that he is to attack because the Lord will have gone out before him to strike the enemy down. Wow! How strange is that? But David has learned his lesson the hard way and obeys God’s voice. As a result, David is victorious and calls the place Baal Perazim, “God is the Master of breakthrough.”

Next in the sequence of events we see David once again purposing to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. Since he’s learned the lesson well, this time he consults the Lord to find out His specific will concerning the return of the Ark. Because of that David was successful and the presence of God returns to Israel!

I love these stories because they illustrate that although David deeply desires to do what is right—until he learns to consult the Lord before each decision or action, his great intentions may result in disaster. We also can see that God doesn’t condemn David, but affirms him through Hiram’s gracious gift. David learns the life lesson that God is approachable despite his mistakes—and in each crisis he is to seek God’s counsel first. This is breakthrough!

How important to specifically know what God is saying to us in these stormy times. He is gracious and eager to speak, leading us into victory and our own breakthrough.

Tom Hovsepian is a former pastor of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org