Stop and Taste the Honey...

And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was honey on the ground. And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened. Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.  How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”
                                                                     I Samuel 14:24-30

Our family has an inside joke within our circle, or the "circle of trust" as some call it.  It started with my older sister.  A while back, everytime she would learn some important life lesson, she would come charging in the door declaring, "I have a new self revelation".  She'd go on to tell us that while at the traffic stop or while talking to some random person, she had some ah-hah moment about life.  They were good too--we should treat our bodies like temples, kindness begets kindness, take charge of your destiny, take risks, and the list goes on. My siblings and I loved to tease my sister about these "revelations".   We were grateful to our "wise" one.   ha ha.  Well, I am here to declare that I too have had my own revelation. I know, I know. I'm shocked as well. he he. Anyhow, I would like to share it with you. It goes as follows.

How many of us have engaged in spiritual warfare for a very long time?  We've either been fighting strongly for some promise that God has given us or attempting to do more for the kingdom of God.  Maybe you've been trying to get some new ministry started or working day and night to see God's dream in you fulfilled. Maybe visions of a 100,000 souls in a huge arena receiving the Holy Spirit dances in your mind or starting an orphanage in some foreign land fills your dreams.  Whatever it might be, I'm here to tell you AWESOME, GOOD FOR YOU! KEEP PRESSING ON because you will achieve it if you can believe God for it. But, I have an encouragement for you as well as myself.  Sometimes, we are so busy in spiritual warfare and in pressing toward the mark, that sometimes we forget to stop and tase the joy of God.   In essence, we forget to stop and "smell the roses."   I was recently listening to a preaching by Reverend Jason Sciscoe about renewing the vision in our lives. He talked about how the Israelites under the direction of King Saul went to battle and were given a command by Saul to eat no food until they had the victory.  The men were weary to the core. Saul's son, Jonathan did not hear the command and on his way to the battlefield, saw a honeycomb. He stopped and had his fill of the wonderful treat.  Immediately his countenance was brightened.  When the other soldiers saw this, they scolded him disobeying the king's command.  Jonathan replied, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”  Later, Jonathan is condemed to die for his disobedience, but is rescued, ^"But the people said to Saul, 'Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.' So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die."  Jonathan's act was of God.  We see that God delivered the Israelites that day, but an important lesson was learned.  Jonathan demonstrated the importance of stopping to re-energize ourselves and experiencing the sweetness of God in the middle of the battle.

How long has it been since you just lingered in prayer just enjoying the sweet presence of God without asking for anything.  How long has it been since you just enjoyed the simple peace of God and the joy that He offers without focusing so much on the future?  I'm not saying that being engaged in warfare  does not offer some exhilerating purpose and satisfaction, but sometimes, we, just like Saul's men, become so focused on the tasks ahead of us and the promises to be fulfilled that our hearts can sometimes become tired, weary, and even cold.  Life can often become an endless battle in which we no longer experience the joy of our salvation.  The truth is, life in its entirety is a spiritual war, but that doesn't mean that we aren't able to take moments to rest in God's presence and delight in the simplicity of His love. Also keep in mind, the promises of God are already set in heaven and appointed for a certain time.  There's nothing you can do to add and take away from them. When it is time for God to bring those promises, gifts, and callings into your life, He will do it.  How about just enjoying your Christian experience and delighting in God right now?  Take moments just to express your gratitude to God. Take the time to just dance in his presence and laugh with Him.  Linger in his sweet love and in it alone.  Let God renew you with the joy of the Holy Spirit. David once penned the words, "Restore unto me the joy of your salvation" (Psalm 51:12).  Afterall, the Word of God tells us that there is fullness of joy in His presence.  With this mindset, we are positioning ourselves to have the strength within us to receive the promises of God when the time comes.  Sometimes, we are so burned out, we are not where we need to be to receive God's best for us.  So, I leave you with this encouragement, stop and taste the honey of God's presence.  Taste and see that the Lord is good!  Bask in the joy of your salvation! 

Thank you for letting me share this "revelation" with you.  God bless.  :)