1 Samuel 23:7 – 24:22. Saul is king but paranoid of David’s popularity and determined to kill him. Jonathan, Saul’s son and heir apparent, “helped him (David) find strength in God.” Jonathan knows, Saul knows and David knows that some day David will be king. Amazingly Saul, in pursuit of David, enters a cave to relieve himself, unaware that David and men are hiding in the back of the cave. David sneaks forward and cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe, refusing to kill Saul as his men wanted. David confronts Saul with the proof, “May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hands.” David is waiting on the Lord.
Being king for Saul was harder than just being chosen. The fear of competition for the throne plagued Saul and stole peace and concentration. He was busy chasing David rather than ruling and fulfilling his role.
Waiting for God’s timing is harder than just knowing God’s will for David. Samuel had anointed David as a youth, Jonathan had confirmed the future but David needs to discern the time and refuses to seize the position while Saul, “the Lord’s anointed,” was still alive.
We dream of getting married, of getting that perfect job, of buying that wonderful house, of taking the dream vacation or maybe just retiring. It seems so idyllic in the movies or as we watch someone else do our dream but then we achieve–are appointed, are chosen and we discovered the reality is a lot of work. Not only is there work but there is the battle with fear that someone better will come along. Saul did not have peace even though he had achieved so much.
I find it interesting that David has multiple opportunities to grab his destiny and yet he does not. Getting his dream by devious or immoral ways ie killing Saul, is not what he wants. He is willing to wait for God’s time. That is hard. I love the scene from “Chariots of Fire” where Eric Liddell is preaching on Sunday morning as he feels it would be unethical to run an Olympic trial race on Sunday. He uses as his text Isaiah 40:28,
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (wait) in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
I do not know where you are feeling impatient and finding it hard to wait on the Lord’s timing, but trusting God’s timing is important. Keep focused on God rather than who might do what you’re doing only better. They might do it better but God has you in the situation and trusting his timing and keeping his peace is important. Be kind as you critique others doing their jobs and wait on the Lord in doing yours!
On the Way to Wonder 