God, What Should I Do? | Steven Furtick

Summary

The speaker discusses the concept of seeking God's will, using David's escape to the Philistines as an example. They emphasize the importance of doing the 'next best thing' in uncertain times, trusting God's plan even when it's not clear, and maintaining faith amidst challenges.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Seeking the Lord doesn't mean having a clear blueprint of God's plan for every step of the journey.
• 🔍 David's decision to escape to the land of the Philistines was a practical response to his situation, reflecting a trust in God's guidance even when the path is unclear.
• 🌐 Even when we don't understand God's will, we can still act on the 'next best thing' based on our current understanding and circumstances.
• 💭 The concept of 'seeking the Lord' involves trusting in God's timing and plan, which may not always align with our immediate desires or expectations.
• 🤔 The process of seeking God's will can involve moments of doubt and uncertainty, as illustrated by David's thoughts about Saul's intentions.
• 🏆 The 'next best thing' is about making the most of our current situation while waiting for God to unfold His promises.
• 🏋️‍♂️ There are times when doing the next best thing means making the most of limited opportunities, like David wanting to fight but settling for what's available.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Personal desires, like spending time with family or having a healed body, may need to be set aside in favor of what's feasible and aligns with God's will for the moment.
• 💰 Financial struggles can be addressed by doing the next best thing, which includes trusting God with what we have and being generous within our means.
• 🎉 Celebrating and praising God in the midst of challenges is a form of seeking His presence and acknowledging His sovereignty over our circumstances.
• 🔗 The 'next best thing' is often connected to a larger, divine plan that we may not fully comprehend but are a part of by our actions and trust in God.

Q & A

What does the phrase 'To seek the Lord' imply in the context of the script?

In the script, 'To seek the Lord' implies a journey of faith where one may not have all the answers or a clear path, but trusts in God's guidance and promises despite uncertainties.

Why did David decide to escape to the land of the Philistines?

David escaped to the land of the Philistines because he believed that Saul would stop searching for him in Israel, allowing him to evade Saul's grasp and buy time for God's plan to unfold.

What is the significance of the 'next best thing' mentioned in the script?

The 'next best thing' signifies taking practical steps and making the most of the current situation while waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled, even if the desired outcome is not immediately visible.

How does the script relate the story of David to modern believers?

The script draws parallels between David's experiences and the challenges faced by modern believers, emphasizing the importance of faith and doing the 'next best thing' in various life situations.

What does the speaker suggest when faced with rejection or obstacles in one's career or personal life?

The speaker suggests that instead of being disheartened by rejection or obstacles, one should trust in God's timing and do the 'next best thing,' which may lead to better opportunities in the future.

What is the message conveyed about trust and faith in God's plan?

The message is that trust and faith in God's plan involve enduring hardships and uncertainties, but ultimately, God's timing and provision are better than what humans can plan or imagine.

How does the script address the feeling of being in a season of uncertainty?

The script acknowledges the difficulty of being in a season of uncertainty and encourages believers to continue seeking the Lord and doing the 'next best thing' as an act of faith.

What is the importance of maintaining faith even when circumstances seem dire?

Maintaining faith in dire circumstances is crucial as it demonstrates reliance on God's sovereignty and trust in His ultimate plan, which may involve unexpected blessings or deliverance.

How does the script use the story of Saul's death to illustrate a point about God's justice and timing?

The script uses Saul's death to show that God's justice and timing are perfect, and that believers should not take matters into their own hands but trust in God's way and timing.

What does the speaker mean by 'ugly trust' and how is it related to seeking the Lord?

'Ugly trust' refers to the difficult, messy, and sometimes painful process of trusting God in the midst of trials and tribulations, which is an essential part of seeking and relying on the Lord.

What is the role of perseverance and resilience in the journey of faith as described in the script?

Perseverance and resilience are key in the journey of faith, as they enable believers to continue seeking the Lord and doing the 'next best thing' even when faced with challenges and setbacks.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Seeking God's Will Amidst Uncertainty

The speaker discusses the concept of seeking the Lord even when the path forward is unclear. They use the example of David fleeing to the land of the Philistines, despite them being his enemies, as an act of faith. The summary emphasizes that seeking God's will may not always provide a clear sequence of events, but it is about doing the next best thing in the present moment. This could mean accepting a situation that is less than ideal, like David living among the Philistines, or it could relate to personal circumstances such as job rejections or health issues. The key message is to trust in God's timing and promises, even when the immediate future is not as desired.

05:03

🔍 Discovering God's Plan in Difficult Times

This paragraph delves into the reality that seeking the Lord can be accompanied by intense fear and uncertainty, as illustrated by the speaker's conversation with a creative individual struggling to find collaboration. The speaker encourages embracing the 'next best thing' as a form of divine guidance, even when it's not immediately clear how it connects to God's larger plan. The narrative includes personal anecdotes about dealing with limitations and challenges, such as the inability to care for a loved one or the fear of public performance. The core idea is that seeking the Lord involves persistent faith and action, even in the midst of doubt and adversity.

10:09

🌟 Trusting in God's Timing and Provision

The final paragraph focuses on the theme of trusting God in the face of life's imperfections and challenges. It recounts the speaker's experience with their father's illness and the difficult decision to place him in a nursing home, highlighting the contrast between what was desired and what was the next best option available. The summary captures the essence of 'ugly trust'—continuing to have faith in God's plan even when the situation is far from ideal. It emphasizes the importance of taking one step at a time, trusting that God will eventually lift the burden, and the value of perseverance in faith despite the appearance of circumstances.

Keywords

💡Seek the Lord

The phrase 'seek the Lord' is a call to turn to God for guidance and wisdom. In the video, it is used to illustrate the idea that even when the path is not clear, one should continue to seek divine direction. David's decision to escape to the land of the Philistines is an example of seeking the Lord in a moment of uncertainty, trusting that God's plan will unfold even if it does not align with one's immediate desires.

💡Uncertainty

Uncertainty is the state of being unsure or lacking clarity about what will happen next. The video discusses the feeling of uncertainty when seeking the Lord, suggesting that it is normal not to have all the answers and that faith involves trusting in God's plan even when the future is unclear.

💡Philistines

The Philistines were historical enemies of the Israelites. In the context of the video, they represent the unexpected or seemingly counterintuitive path that one might have to take while seeking God's will, as David did when he escaped to their land.

💡Trusting God

Trusting God is the act of having faith in divine providence and believing that God will guide one's life. The video emphasizes the importance of trusting God even when the circumstances are not ideal or when the desired outcome has not yet materialized.

💡Next Best Thing

The 'next best thing' refers to the immediate, practical action one can take in the absence of a clear or perfect solution. The video repeatedly uses this concept to encourage viewers to take the best possible step they can in their current situation, as a form of faithful action while waiting for God's plan to unfold.

💡Integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. The video suggests that maintaining integrity, even in difficult circumstances, is part of doing the 'next best thing' and aligns with the broader theme of trusting in God's plan.

💡Character

Character refers to the moral and ethical qualities of an individual. The video implies that developing and maintaining good character is crucial when facing challenges and making decisions in line with seeking the Lord's guidance.

💡Fears

Fears, in the context of the video, represent the intense feelings of dread or terror that can accompany uncertainty and difficult decisions. The video acknowledges the reality of these fears while encouraging viewers to press on in seeking the Lord despite them.

💡Prayer

Prayer is a form of communication with God, expressing one's thoughts, desires, and concerns. The video touches on the idea that prayer does not always have to be perfect or take place in a church setting; it can be raw and real, reflecting the struggles and uncertainties of life.

💡Faith

Faith is the belief in something, especially in the absence of empirical evidence. In the video, faith is portrayed as a journey that involves taking steps in the right direction, even when the full picture is not visible, as exemplified by the quote about faith not showing the whole staircase.

💡Ugly Trust

Ugly trust is a term used in the video to describe the act of trusting God in difficult and messy situations. It suggests that faith can be tested and expressed even when circumstances are far from ideal, as seen in the speaker's personal story about his father and the challenges they faced.

Highlights

Seeking the Lord does not guarantee knowledge of every step in life's journey.

David's strategy to escape to Philistine land to evade Saul's pursuit.

The concept of uncertainty in God's plan and the need to escape immediate danger.

The idea that God's promises may unfold over time, not immediately.

The illustration of life's timing with the example of waiting for the right person or job.

The importance of trusting God even when faced with rejection or perceived failure.

The metaphor of doing the 'next best thing' while waiting for God's plan to unfold.

Examples of making the most of current circumstances, like spending time with children or exercising.

The spiritual practice of praising God in difficult situations, like being bedridden.

The principle of giving to God what we have, trusting Him with what we lack.

The story of Paul and Silas praising God in prison, an example of faith in adversity.

The challenge of recognizing God's will in the midst of fear and uncertainty.

The advice to focus on the 'next best thing' rather than trying to control the future.

The story of David and Saul, illustrating how God works in ways beyond human understanding.

The concept of integrity and character in the face of past mistakes or challenges.

The personal testimony of the speaker's experience with his father's illness and the lesson of seeking God amidst pain.

The encouragement to continue seeking God, even when feeling unheard or overwhelmed by negative thoughts.

The reminder that faith is about taking the next step, even when the whole staircase is not visible.

The analogy of 'ugly trust' - trusting God through difficult and messy times.

Transcripts

To seek the Lord doesn't  mean you will know exactly  

what he's going to do every step along the way.

David said, "The best thing I can do is to  escape to the land of the Philistines. Then  

Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in  Israel, and I will slip out of his hand." Is  

it possible that David, in this moment, isn't  even really sure where God's hand is working,  

but all he knows is, "I've  got to get out of here"?

When he says, "I sought the Lord," he's  referring back to this incident where he  

had to go to the Philistines, the enemies  he wanted to kill, and live with them for  

a season while he waited for God to do what  he had promised to do. Is it possible that  

you are in a season right now where you're  seeking the Lord, but he hasn't exactly shown  

you what's going to happen in a sequence of  events that you can logically understand?

So, the word of the Lord for you is…What is  the next best thing for you to do? The next  

best thing. For David, what he really  wanted was to be the leader of Israel,  

but sometimes you can't do exactly  what you want to do. Sometimes the  

will God has for you is still  in the process of unfolding.

Sometimes the person you're supposed to marry  hasn't even moved to Charlotte yet. Sometimes  

the job you're supposed to have isn't even  open yet. So, you get rejected three times  

for jobs you think you'd be a perfect fit  for, but the truth is, if you got that job,  

it would become a snare to you for  the door that God is going to open.

I'm talking about trusting him. I'm talking  about "I sought the Lord, and there was a space.  

I didn't know if he heard." So what did David do?  The next best thing. "I would love to be fighting  

Saul's battles right now. I would love to be  killing Philistines, like I did with Goliath."

"I would love to be taking  my kids to school every day,  

but I only get to see them every other  weekend right now. So, when I get them  

every other weekend, I'm going to make that  count, because that's the next best thing."

"I would love to have somebody to take long walks  on the beach with, but I don't have somebody,  

and I don't have a beach, so I'm going  to get on this treadmill and get a  

podcast and take myself on a walk,  because that's the next best thing."

"I would love to have a healed body right now  so I could be in church with Pastor Steven,  

but right now I can't leave the house because  I'm confined to this bed, but I'm going to lift  

my hands, because even though I can't get out of  this bed, I'm going to do the next best thing."

"I would love to be farther along in my finances  by now, but I didn't save in that season because  

nobody taught me, but I trust in God, and  I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor  

his seed begging bread, so I'm going to  do the next best thing. I'm going to give  

him what I've got and trust him with what I'm  not. I will bless the Lord at all times…good  

times, bad times!" Ask Paul and Silas.  "I'd love to be out of this prison,  

but they haven't released me yet,  so let's do the next best thing.

You praise him on the first verse. I'll praise  him on the second verse. You sing the chorus.  

I'll sing the bridge. I'm going to do what he  gave me to do with what I've got to do it."  

Yes, sir! The next best thing for  you. That's all you have to do.  

You don't have to figure out the next  50 things. That's God's job. He said,  

"You're fired from trying to be God." I just  want you to think about it. What's the next  

best thing you can do? Go complain about  it or praise him like he already knows?

What's the next best thing? "I sought the  Lord. Oh, it wasn't pretty. My fears were  

terrible." The word fears that he uses is  only used three other times in the Bible.  

It is a state so intense it's only used three  times in the Bible. It means horror. He said,  

"I was in a horrible place, a  lonely place, an isolated place."

I was talking to a brother yesterday. He said,  

"I'm creative, but I can't find anybody to  collaborate with." I wanted to tell him,  

"Well, the next best thing is going to  be you have to open up some kind of app  

on your phone and just start collaborating with  your phone." Y'all don't want me to teach this.  

We want "magic wand" God. We want "I sought  the Lord, and he heard." But sometimes…

Should I do it? I can save it. I plan to be here  next week. I can save it. Do you want it now or  

do you want it next week? Do you want it right now  while I'm freshly anointed with this Holy Spirit  

to break a chain off of you, going, "I can't go  here. I can't go there. I don't have a degree.  

I can't start the business. I can't get out of  the contract. I shouldn't have signed the lease."

Why don't you just turn the apartment you're  in into a habitation of a holy God while you  

wait on another one to come? The next  best thing for you to do is connected  

to the next thing God is going to do  that you don't even know about yet.

God killed Saul. David didn't have to. Oh,  

it's better than that. You don't even know  how good God is. Saul fell on his own sword.  

So, you do the next right thing. You have  integrity. You have character. You just  

move on. You forgive. You be bigger than that.  Don't go back and forth with Saul. What a word.

It's hard for me to preach it to you while the  Holy Spirit is still giving it to me. I'm just  

trying to decide, "Lord, what should be said  out loud and what should I ponder?" He said,  

"They don't know the power of what  they're singing when they say,  

'I sought the Lord.' They think that's what  they're doing only in church right now."

This "seeking the Lord" thing is sometimes going  to look like you spitting and scratching. Nobody  

really knows what it's like to be on those  tours except Holly. Nobody knows what it's  

really like to look up at an arena full of  people and go, "Jesus, this is wonderful,  

and I'm terrified," except the woman who was back  there with me two hours before when I was saying,  

"It feels like razor blades in my vocal  cords, and I don't want these people to feel  

cheated tonight. I don't want it to feel stale  tonight. I don't feel like I have the energy."

Sometimes before you preach you feel like  you get the flu, but it's not in your body;  

it's in your mind. For her to be with me…  She'll say, "Come over here." Sometimes  

she'll just put her hand on my shoulder, and  sometimes she'll press strength into my mind.

I know we're supposed to be better than that.  We're supposed to float on the stage on a cloud  

of shekinah glory, but sometimes I'm scribbling  and scratching and spitting just like you,  

but I'm seeking him. David thought to himself,  "Saul is going to kill me," but he kept seeking  

God even while he was thinking crazy stuff to  himself. That's what I want you to do, church.  

I want you to say, "I sought the  Lord, and I sought him again.

I sought him even as I thought he didn't  hear me, even as the Devil told me,  

'You're never going to be free from this.  Your dad did it, his dad did it, and you  

will die an alcoholic too.'" Even while you are  thinking that to yourself, you do the next best  

thing. That's all you have to do. I promise you  I'm giving you a testimony. I saw it in my family.

I saw it when my dad was dying of ALS. I wanted  God to heal him. God didn't heal him. I wanted to  

take care of him. That didn't work out. For two  years, I couldn't take care of him. My mom was  

taking care of him. He became abusive toward  her, so we had to put him in a nursing home,  

and he was way too young to be in that nursing  home. I was crushed the day I walked in and  

he was calling bingo in a nursing home when I  knew I wanted him down the street with my mom.

But they couldn't be together. It wasn't safe  for her. So, why were we doing a Thanksgiving  

dinner in a nursing home with my dad while he was  dying with an uncertain time limit left? Why were  

we eating a microwave meal off of paper plates  in a nursing home with a man who was in his 60s?  

That wasn't what I wanted. It was the next  best thing. That's what it means to seek  

him. It's such a good quote. He said that  faith doesn't show you the whole staircase,  

just enough to take the next  step, the next best thing.

Yeah, just like that. Just like that. Watch this.  It's going to be ugly sometimes. Every prayer is  

not going to be pretty. Every prayer isn't going  to happen in church. Every faith experience isn't  

going to happen in a controlled environment, but  the Bible says to humble yourself under his hand,  

because Saul's hand is nothing compared to  his hand. First Peter 5:6 says, "In due time,  

he will lift you up." One next best thing at a  time. That's how he's going to bring you out.

Ugly trust. Spitty beard trust. Crust in your  eyes but went anyway, tears on your pillow,  

sleepless nights, but I'm not giving  up on God. Ugly trust. Do you know  

what that means to me…ugly? It means  trusting God until God lifts you.