How is it that summer is such a busy time of relaxation? If your family is anything like mine, we fill our schedule with as many good and fun things as possible, so as to not waste the precious moments of rest and relaxation. In the times when we don’t have anything planned or prepared, I find myself wondering what I am supposed to do. I find that this same circumstance has also made its way into the Christian walk, that without a planned or prepared answer, response, or guideline, our first reaction is to freeze and wonder: “What am I supposed to do?” As if you couldn’t already tell from my title, I propose that the answer is to do whatever the occasion demands. So, what do I mean by that and where is that found in Scripture?
First, let us look to 1 Samuel 10:1-7 NKJV
Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance? 2 When you have departed from me today, you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. And now your father has ceased caring about the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?” ’ 3 Then you shall go on forward from there and come to the terebinth tree of Tabor. There three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. 4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive from their hands. 5 After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. 6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.
In these verses, Samuel foretells multiple encounters that Saul will have later that same day, even going so far as to be extremely detailed about the people involved in those encounters, like stating what they will be carrying. Despite all of the information given to Saul, none of it is actually authoritative about what Saul is supposed to do, except that he will take the loaves of bread.
If we are truly honest with ourselves, most of the time we want to know exactly what God’s plan is before we do anything. Sometimes, we might even prolong making a decision or taking action because of a lack of direct intervention by God. But is that truly what God desires of us? To wait upon His response for everything?
But what if we already had everything we needed to obey God’s will, even when He doesn’t write it on a flashing billboard sign? Verse 7 of 1 Samuel 10: “And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.”
What if God hasn’t given you a specific answer, because He wants you to do as the occasion demands. If He is with you, and you are truly seeking to be in His will, your action will be more obedient and sanctifying than if God had spoon-fed it to you. God gains glory in your obedience to what He has called you to do, yes, but God also gains glory when you “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12b-13)
In Kevin DeYoung’s book “Just Do Something”, he writes: “Wisdom is what we need to live a godly life. God does not tell us the future, nor does He expect us to figure it out. When we don’t know which way to turn and are faced with tough decisions in life, God doesn’t expect us to grope in the dark for some hidden will of direction. He expects us to trust Him and to be wise.”
He then goes on to comment, “Isn’t it interesting that we are never told in Scripture to ask God to reveal the future or to show us His plan for our lives? But we are told—in no uncertain terms—to call out for insight and to cry aloud for understanding. In other words, God says, “Don’t ask to see all the plans I’ve made for you. Ask Me for wisdom so you’ll know how to live according to My Book.”
In conclusion, have enough wisdom and knowledge of the Lord that when the time comes that God appoints for you a task beyond your preparation and planning, you can do as the occasion demands.
Written by Pastor Zachary Manes
