"DANGER OFTEN LURKS, WHERE DESTINY BECKONS"

I read this profoundly true phrase in a historical novel, by Christian author, Tommy Tenney. It was the story of Hadassah (Hebrew name)--or Queen Esther of Persia, as most of us regard her.When I read the phrase, it struck me. I thought, how true! We want the glory of our destiny, but no part of the process--often treacherous, that will get us there. Faith, however, requires some sacrifice, some trial, some work (James 2:20).I began to think back over my own life and my desire to get the prize, but always trying to avoid the battle wounds--only to find myself back at the starting point again and again. It was only after I made a decisive choice to submit my will to God, in the process of being molded, did I find the peace that I so desperately sought. When I stopped "kicking against the pricks", I found joy, in spite of difficult circumstances.Not only Hadassah recognized that where danger lurks, destiny beckons. The Word of God is full of hosts of characters that learned that lesson through the experiences of their lives. I think of Gideon, hiding out by the winepress, threshing wheat--for fear of the Midianites and the Amalekites--when God called him. His first act? Tear down "the altar of Baal that thy father hath built and the grove that is by it: and build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place...". Why was Gideon hiding? DANGER LURKS! The Israelites were now captives of the Midianites--their very name means "strife"! The Midianites are closely associated with the Moabites and together they were involved in seducing Israel into idolatry--and away from God. Israel followed after the gods of these people and because of this, Israel became slaves of the Midianites. Gideon, after being impacted by the voice of God and hearing that he is a "mighty man of valor" (his destiny), now confronts some danger. Destiny, by nature demands that you be willing to risk all in faith, for the Kingdom! So, Gideon, "did as the LORD had said unto him...". Now, that did not end Gideon's battle--he didn't immediately "feel" like a man of valor--much less a mighty one, but God called him to that destiny, and so He took Gideon through the process, preparing and shaping him, until not only did Gideon recognize his new identity, but his family, his friends and community saw him as a mighty warrior, too! When you place your destiny in God's hands, it is secure, and NO man, NO weapon or any such thing can block God's destiny for your life. (Judges 6:11,12,25,26) Gideon is a study in the subject of Destiny and Identity all by himself, but there is someone else that I am thinking of, too.Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob (actually the Bible is full of witnesses of the danger that precedes destiny) is the other man of destiny; Joseph was a child of destiny, for sure--as we all are, who know God. Joseph, was born "different". You ever meet people like that, or see children who have that extra special something--they do what everybody else does, but with more charisma, more pizzazz, more intelligence, etc.? This was Joseph, and he was a dreamer, add to these things that he was his dad's favorite, and you can see how things could become troublesome for Joseph, when Daddy's not around, can't you? At the very least, it certainly didn't help his relationship with his brothers--all older, and bigger, probably a lot stronger, too. Now, a lot of us would get stuck right at this point and declare we haven't got a chance because they are all against me. We would just be miserable and unhappy because my siblings hate me--or the people in church--or whomever, you fill in the blank! Maybe, you would become bitter and resentful, blaming and seking revenge, maybe not overtly--but in other ways, like not being supportive, jealousy, backbiting, sowing discord, gossiping.... But Joseph just kept the sheep--(and in so doing, he was learning some valuable "people" lessons, I might add) dreaming his dreams, while they hated every vestige of his being. Please, understand, there will be people who hate you, no matter what you do--but they hated Jesus, so you're in great company!Joseph's brothers plotted and planned how they might get rid of their BROTHER! DANGER LURKS!! Eventually, they sold him into slavery, instead of killing him. Joseph continued to suffer many things. Of course, things went well for Joseph for a season, until Potiphar's wife falsely accused him. Things spiraled downhill for Joseph for years. Everyone, it seemed forgot the good that Joseph had done, how he had helped them out, as he sat in prison. BUT GOD did not forget his name or his destiny. God caused Pharoah to dream a dream that only Joseph could interpret, which led to his elevation--his destiny was coming into view, now. It might seem that was it, Joseph had arrived, this was his destiny--but God had so much more.It was through Joseph, the brother sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, imprisoned wrongfully and forgotten of men, that God saved His people Israel, and many more. It was through God's plan for Joseph's destiny that his father and brothers were saved; and saw that although they allowed themselves to be used for evil against their brother, God used the same situation for good! (Genesis chapters 37-50).Sometimes, we get so bogged down by other people and what we think they are doing to keep us down, that we lose sight of WHO is in control of our destiny. WHO really holds the reigns of our lives? The Word of God declares: "The steps of a good man (that is, valiant man; warrior) are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand." Psalm 37:23,24In light of this, it is our responsibility not to shy away from the dangers that line the path to our destiny's--but be armed, always, with the weapons of our warfare (II. Corinthians 10:4) and fight on valiantly! YOUR DESTINY AWAITS.