[Life of David] Unlikely Trial, Teacher, TimingSample

Success 

Booker T. Washington, in his book Up from Slavery, wrote that “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which one has overcome.” Waiting for God’s timing is difficult in all of our lives, but we must keep trusting and keep walking, no matter what obstacles we face. 

David had two chances to kill Saul. In 1 Samuel 24 we learn that Saul went into a cave where David was hiding. While Saul was relieving himself, David crept up behind him and cut off the edge of Saul’s garment, but Saul did not realize it. Later, he shows it to Saul, saying, “Look, I could have killed you.” Saul began to weep, acknowledging “You’re more righteous than me.” Another time, David and a companion make it past all the guards around Saul, who is asleep by a campfire. They had a spear; David could just kill Saul right there and become king. Instead, he said, “No, I won’t harm the Lord’s anointed.” David chose to wait on God's timing. David trusted in God’s timing because he trusted God was in control.

Trust God in your trials. Allow Him to meet you in the wilderness. David, at the end of his life, was able to pass on his blessing to Solomon; he blessed and encouraged others, giving to the next generation. Saul didn’t do that. At the end of his life, Saul said, “I’m a fool and I have had great error in my life.” Let’s not end our lives saying “I’m a fool and I’ve had great error in my life.” Instead, let’s end our lives pursuing God, saying, “God, we want your will and your way.”

Will there be a tough trial, an unlikely trial? Yes, there will. Will you have an unlikely teacher, the wilderness? You will. Will you have unlikely timing and need to trust in the faithfulness of God? Yes. But through it all, you will discover a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Those things will be a doorway to something deeper in your life. Follow Him and trust Him, whether it’s a bad year, a bad day, or a bad decade. 

Father, we come in Jesus’ name. We love You. We thank You for this verse of Scripture that teaches us about Your faithfulness in David’s life. Saul pursued David, but he pursued You. May we pursue You as well. 

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