1 Samuel 26:1-25; John 10:30-42; Psalms 116:1-5; Proverbs 24:26
OT: “Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah saying, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon.” So Saul, accompanied by three thousand of the fit young men of Israel, went immediately to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there… Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, were lying down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him… That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won’t have to strike him twice!” But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be innocent?” David added, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. However, as the Lord is my witness, I will never lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let’s go.” So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul’s head, and they went their way. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up; they all remained asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord came over them.” (1 Samuel 26:1-2, 5, 7-12 CSB)
David had been anointed by Samuel to be king. He also had numerous confirmations of that anointing. He had an undeniable call on his life from God. But there was one thing standing in the way of that call and purpose being fulfilled: King Saul. Then an opportunity presented itself. It would seem to most people that God was making a way for David to remove the obstacle… that God was opening a door of opportunity for David to step into and claim his destiny. Yet, David was a man of integrity whose whole heart was after God. He was not willing to break one of God’s laws to see God’s purposes fulfilled. He was not an “ends justify the means” type of guy. He was not willing to take matters into his own hands and take what he believed was his. Instead, he trusted that if God desired for him to be King, God would remove the obstacle and give David the kingship. How many of us, once we get a word from the Lord or receive a calling, are willing to wait for the Lord’s timing? Many people move forward to take what has been promised to them and end up getting ahead of God and sacrifice their integrity along the way. It’s really tough to be patient and wait on the Lord. There have been numerous times in my life where I have gotten a word from the Lord about something… and everything within me wants to move forward… but this story of David has always reminded me to wait on the Lord and trust Him… and time after time, the Lord has moved mountains and given me what He has promised to me in a way that glorifies Him and sets me up for success. God’s way is the best way.
Psalms: “I love the Lord because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live. The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “ Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.” (Psalms 116:1-5 CSB)
God is always faithful to those who place their faith and trust in Him. When, instead of trusting in our own strength and understanding, we call out to the Lord – He is gracious (He gives us His grace, strength, understanding, endurance, etc.), righteous (He does accomplishes what is needed in the right way), and compassionate (He treats us with love and care, like a parent to His children).
Jamie Hicks 