Anointed: A Study in 1 SamuelSample

What does it say?

David did not kill Saul when given the opportunity. He refused to take the life of the one God had placed on the throne.

What does it mean?

God had anointed David to be Israel’s future king. But that did not mean he could engage in behavior that endangered the man God had placed on the throne before him. Rather than take the kingdom by force, David needed to be patient. He seemed to understand that God would move him into that role in His own timing, just as the Lord had placed Saul there. David did not need to take matters into his own hands to accomplish God’s will.

How should I respond?

When you sense a strong calling on your life to move in a particular direction, you may also be tempted to justify any actions that will accomplish that calling. But of this you can be certain: God will never ask you to break His commands in order to accomplish His purpose. God’s will doesn’t have to be forced. God does not depend upon deception, manipulation, or abuse to bring about his purposes. He does not need your cunning and guile. Can you look back and see when a lack of patience produced a negative result in your life? In what area of life do you need to exercise patience today? Ask God to show you where you’ve started to take matters into your own hands. This week, remember that God will work out His will in His time.