Tuesday: David: An Object Lesson in Waiting
In 1 Samuel 16:1-13, we see the young lad David anointed by Samuel as king. However, it was a long journey from the fields of his father, Jesse, to the throne in Jerusalem. No doubt, at times he felt in the midst of a crucible.
First, the lad is called to play music to soothe Saul’s troubled spirit (1 Samuel 16:1-23). Later, he becomes Israel’s hero as he kills Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-58). Then there are many years during which David is running for his life.
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
Both Saul and his son Jonathan know that David is destined to be the next king (1 Samuel 23:17, 1 Samuel 24:20). But David does nothing to advance his God-given destiny. In fact, he appears to do the opposite. Even when Saul tried to kill him and David snipped a piece of cloth off the king’s robe, he wished he had never done such a thing (1 Samuel 24:5-7). Again when Saul is trying to kill David, David refuses to kill Saul when the opportunity arises (1 Samuel 26:7-11).
Read 1 Samuel 26:1-11. Why does David refuse to kill Saul? What principles does this teach us about the way God brings about His plans for our lives?
Now read 1 Samuel 26:12-25. How does David’s refusal to kill Saul affect Saul? What does this teach us about the advantages of waiting for God?
Looking at the whole of David’s road to the throne, we could perhaps summarize it in a short sentence — don’t grab what God has not yet given. God’s gifts are always best received from His hand and in His time. This may require a very long time of waiting. Bean sprouts may literally grow up within hours, while an oak tree will take many years. But then when the strong winds come, the tree will not be uprooted.
| Think how easily David could have justified killing Saul. (After all, David was told he’d have the throne, and Saul was so evil anyway.) Yet, his actions speak of true faith in God. What might you be able to draw from this example for yourself in whatever you might be waiting for? |
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On one of my trips back home to New Zealand, I visited New Plymouth to stay with my sister. While there we decided to visit Mt Taranaki (It was called Mt Egmont in those days - which dates the story a bit.) Mt Taranaki is about 9000ft high and is the New Zealand version of Japan's Mt Fuji. It stands out by itself and is really spectacular. Our time was short so we hopped in the car and drove up the mountain as far as we could and then walked. We wanted to reach the snow line so we climbed as fast as we could. Just as we started out from the car park, another group of walkers arrived and started walking. We passed them and made our way up the slope towards our goal. We reached the snowline and then made our way back down the mountain towards the car park. We came across the other group of walkers. They had stopped and were having a bite to eat. During the course of our conversation with them, we found that they were not climbing the mountain but were circumnavigating it. Further, this was not a quick casual visit; They were taking a week to do it. I looked out over the seried hills of New Zealand towards Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Tongariro, over 80km away. I could see the coastline all the way north to Auckland. It was a clear day. I could not see in other directions because the mountain blocked the view. I was envious of these walkers. They had not gone far, but they had paused and were taking in the view. And they had a week to enjoy the views on all sides of the mountain and see the scenery in all its moods. We had a quick view for about an hour and a half.
We are often in a big rush and want to achieve our goals and reach our destinations quickly Sometimes we need to understand that God is not in a rush and wants us to slow down to his pace. I had a friend who refused to fly. He used to say that God's intended ways to travel were trains on the land, and ships on the sea. If God had wanted us to fly he would have given us wings. I know my friend often use to say this in humour, but I sometimes wonder if he really was quite serious underneath it all. Perhaps we have a lot to learn about God's pace.
Our period of waiting can be test, and it can also be a gift. We need to draw close to God in the seasons of waiting to pass the test and to receive the gift. In these periods, it is especially important that we listen carefully to God’s voice. It is easy in that period for the devil to give us shortcuts that lead to disaster. (Have a child with the maid Hagar and in that way fulfil the Lord’s promise). David was faithful with his period of waiting. God himself set it up so that David had two opportunities to kill Saul, “For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.” Because God himself brought this deep sleep, it was easy to assume that God had given David the opportunity to kill Saul. But David listened to God and knew that this was not his purpose.
Our period of waiting can be a test, and sometimes we, like Abraham, fail the test. If we pass the test, our period of waiting can be a gift. I believe much was gained when David spared Saul’s life twice when it was within his right to end it. I see that God was glorified. David allowed God to be the centre of this narrative. David’s walk with God was strengthened. He was able to sing the song of ascents, “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Psalm 130:6)” David’s reign was strengthened. When he eventually took the throne, he did so with great respect from his subjects, not only because of his military prowess but because of his character which engendered admiration. We too have benefited from David’s restraint through the lessons we are discussing today. What a gift David’s period of waiting turned out to be!
Lord, by the power of your Holy Spirit, help me to pass the test that comes in the difficult seasons of waiting. May I reap the gifts that will come as I wait on you.
God always has a better plan! It is worth to wait on Him. Patience is a great talent to nurish. May the Lord be praised, because His ways are much higher, thus I wait, and wait again, because His moves are perfect, while mine are doomed. Looking back, I can only see how wonderful God has been to me, even though it might seem I've lost a lot, the Lord will always be faithful and reward those who wait on Him!
I find David’s self-restraint as he faces an opportunity to rid himself of the relentless pursuit of King Saul remarkable. The answer to the question: “Why does David refus to kill Saul? is showing evidence why God chose David to be His servant to lead His people to learn to walk with their God, to trust Him and to obey Him.
David was patiently waiting to become the king, demonstrating his trust that it would be right in the sight of God to ‘wait upon the Lord’s timing’ to do that which was necessary to bring about the ‘right’ circumstances. I am sure that God also saw that David needed to mature as a man and as his servant.
I think the peace of mind and heart of the faithful servant is one of the most precious gifts God gives the faithful followers of His Word. What else could possibly bring about the increase of this special, quite resolve than to learn to trust the heavenly Father with one’s whole life, time and time again?
I find to have this special peace of mind and heart is probably the most powerful weapon to deflect the arrows of the enemy which come in all its various forms. For me, the awareness and availability to learn this spiritual calmness in the eye of the storm is the most precious learning experience I enjoy in my relationship with my Maker.