“‘The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.’” 1 Samuel 26:11 NKJV
Have I ever told you that God is working on me and patience? Waiting is not my strong suit, and I’m grateful that my waiting game is improving daily. The funny thing about God is that waiting seems to be a prerequisite for His promises. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years and waited hundreds to be rescued from slavery (Exodus 2 – Numbers, Joshua 1-4). Several decades lapsed between the promise of rain and it actually falling to save Noah and his family (Gen 6).
God told David that he would be king, yet nothing seemed to suggest it would happen. David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, but he refused to do so. He recognized that God would be the one to fulfill the promise, not David making it happen on God’s behalf.
This reverence for timing helped to prepare David even more for the kingship. David needed more preparation for the promise. His time on the run helped to develop his character, learn the land of Israel and neighboring lands, build his leadership skills, and more. In this particular passage, David got supplies for his journey, and David demonstrated to God that he respects authority and God’s wisdom by not killing the man God chose to lead the nation at that time.
The very thing that was keeping David from the promise, was exactly what David needed in order to receive the promise: time. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” No matter what God has promised you, there is a season for it to come to pass. Instead of begrudging the time wondering when it will happen, use the time as preparation to get what you need in order to maximize receipt of the promise.
Reflection
What promise am I waiting for God to fulfill? How can I maximize my waiting period? What can I do to be best prepared for the promise? How do I need to grow or adapt?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of time. Forgive me for trying to rush things or take matters into my own hands. Help me to trust that You will deliver and allow me to use my waiting time as preparation. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
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