There have been times in my life where I was certain that I knew the LORD’s call on my life. God had put clearly into my mind a path or a relationship to pursue. And yet, more times than not, when God has done this, He has not chosen to lead me there immediately. His timing and my timing do not frequently seem to align. I am either impatient for the promise or hesitant to move forward toward it.
I am pretty sure that this is not something unique to me. In fact, I am confident that is not the case. I was reading about another person whose experience was similar, although the circumstances were a bit different.
David, a shepherd boy turned warrior servant of King Saul, was anointed as God’s next chosen King by God’s beloved prophet Samuel. However, instead of assuming the throne, David moved into a time of great persecution to the point of living on the run to save his life. Time and time again, we see David given an opportunity to put an end to King Saul’s life, but David won’t do it. Despite what David knew God had promised him, David was unwilling to jump ahead of God’s timing. The warrior in David could have easily destroyed Saul, but the servant in David refused to risk his right standing with God in order to achieve it.
David trusted that God would keep His promise. David trusted that God would provide a way for that promise to be fulfilled that did not require David to kill King Saul himself.
There was a cost for the waiting. David, his family, and followers were considered outlaws. David’s wife was given away to another man. David and his followers were forced to live on the run, in caves, and could not trust that those around them might report their location back to Saul. This was not a short-term, bad month. This lifestyle was the norm for years.
And still, David refuses to take matters into his own hands. He refuses to give up his belief in God and believing that God’s plan for him is to become the next king. He does not give up on the promise.
Time and again, David’s message to his men is, “The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” (1 Samuel 24:6) In the same way David is reminding himself and his men that he is giving the situation to God. “May the LORD judge between us. Perhaps the LORD will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.” (1 Samuel 24:12) “No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORd’s anointed one? Surely the LORD will strike Saul someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. The LORD forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed!” (1 Samuel 26:9-11)
When will we learn that God’s promises for us, are trustworthy? God will not promise us that which He does not intend to take place. When will we stop trying to run ahead of God and His timing? When will we recognize that the LORD will provide in just the right time, and in just the right way?
Friend, wherever you are, whatever you are going thru, God’s plan for you – His promise – will not be thwarted. He is trustworthy. He is able. Let Him lead.
Blessings!