A few months ago we sent out a letter and information in our newsletter that we were going to purchase a building in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina for our new ministry headquarters.  This building would serve not only for our much-needed additional office space but also for our Bible School and for children’s and youth events.  Well, the purchase did not go through.  Without going into details on why we didn’t get the building, let me just say that we have a peace in our spirits and we know God has another building for us.  We also have learned that ... 

  God is not opposed to the process of elimination!

Let me share a passage of scripture that has been such an inspiration for us and I know will be for you.  In  1 Samuel 16 we read the account when God instructed Samuel to go and anoint Israel’s next king.

1 Samuel 16:1, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?  Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”

Notice that the Lord did not get specific as to which son.  Many times God gives us the overall vision but leaves out some of the details.  In this instance where  and when  and who  was outlined but which  son was not.  Perhaps the Lord does this to keep us seeking His face.

As we read on in this passage, all of Jesse’s sons were brought to Samuel except David, the youngest, who was out in the field watching sheep.

1 Samuel 16:6 –10  “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.  But the LORD said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature: because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.  Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel.  And he said, Neither had the LORD chosen this.  Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by.  And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, the LORD hath not chosen these.”

Samuel started with the eldest son Eliab, thinking it was him.  God said, “no.”  Then he went to Abinadab.  God said, “no.”  Then he went to Shammah.  God said, “no.” 

Samuel continued to go through the process of elimination with each son, waiting for the Lord to respond. 

      Can you imagine what Samuel was thinking when he got to the last son and God said no again?  I’m sure he began to say to himself, “Did I really hear from God” or “Did I miss it?  What if I did?  What will everyone think?”

Not hearing any specific direction from the Lord, Samuel continues with the only apparent choice that is left, by asking Jesse if he has any other sons.

1 Samuel 16:11-13, “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children?  And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.  And he sent, and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.  And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.  So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

Ahh!  Samuel sighs with relief, as David was his last natural option.  Samuel knew it was just a matter of time before God would reveal the right one.

Many times we know the end result God has shown us and we are confident of this.  But the process of how to fulfill the vision is unclear or at best has many options.  Which option is right?  Which is wrong?  Which option will be most effective?  As long as your heart is pure go ahead and take some steps to find out what is or what is not the Lord’s leading.  He will honor your effort, especially as you acknowledge Him before and as you go.  Don’t be afraid to make a mistake.  The greatest risk that a person can take is to take no risk at all.

When going through the process of elimination you must keep your focus on the end goal and not the current situation or circumstance.

      Even though we are not expecting to go through the process of elimination with seven buildings the way Samuel did with Jesse’s sons, we are confident and trust in God that we will know His perfect will.  We will continue to pursue and look for another building.  We thank you for your support in this endeavor and want you to know that monies designated toward the building will go for the building when God reveals it.