I am an impatient man. I hate to wait. I would rather drive an extra five miles out of the way if I can be moving than to sit still waiting four minutes for a train to pass. I don’t know why I am that way, but it seems like I am always in a hurry.
God has a lesson for people like me today. David had been anointed as king almost 15 years prior to this incident. Those years had been spent primarily on the run from Saul, the first King of Israel. Many, including Saul, understood that the Monarchy would be passed on to David, but that didn’t stop Saul from trying to prevent it.
Overcome by insecurity, jealousy, and pride, Saul sought many times to kill David. This had resulted in David living in isolation in the Wilderness of Ziph on the hill of Hachilah. As Saul and his army slept at the foot of the hill, David and his trusted soldier Abishai sneaked into the camp right up to Saul who was at the very center of the camp.
Abishai wanted to kill Saul on the spot. Afterall, Abishai reasoned, God had given David’s enemy into his hand. Abishai thought that David had a right to kill his enemy and take the throne that had been promised to him. But David said, 1 Samuel 26:10–11 (CSB) “”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. 11 However, because of the Lord, 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.””
David’s patience flowed from His confidence in the sovereignty of God. David understood that God had a purpose in all that had taken place in his life from his anointing by Samuel to the time he spent hiding in the hills. Through it all, God had been working in David’s life.
David’s example teaches us that faith in God’s promises requires patience. Many times, we are tempted to force the plan of God to meet our timetable. But God is not bound by time. He is working in every situation, in every second, to work towards His ultimate goal. David understood this truth just as his son Solomon would later write, Ecclesiastes 7:8 (CSB) “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.”
Notice that impatience with God flows out of a spirit of pride. David rested in the promise of God. He knew that God would fulfill His promise in due time. As David waited on God, he didn’t sit in the fields watching his sheep waiting for God to work; instead, he humbly sought to be, “a man after God’s own heart.” Many of the Psalms that we read in scripture were inspired during this time of waiting.
Waiting is not an excuse to do nothing; instead, it is devoting one’s self to the pursuit of God. So, what are you waiting for?
Dear God, help me to find the rest that flows from a life pursuing You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Worship Online Sunday May 17 at 10 AM
Family Meeting Sunday, May 17 at 5 PM
We will have our Family Meeting on Sunday night. Look for an email with attachments and link for the Zoom meeting.
Guidelines for Worship
The Guidelines for worship have been sent to members via e-mail. We will resume Sunday Morning Worship on May 24th. Next Wednesday May 20th we will have a special Worship at 7 PM to work through the process of using these guidelines.
Items needed for Food Collection Week of May 11-15
Cereal
Pop Tarts
Oatmeal
Granola Bars/Fruit Snacks
Packs of Cookies
Peanut Butter
Mac/Cheese
Canned Vegetables
Tuna/Tuna Helper
Pancake Mix
Dinty Moore Stew/Ravioli
Chef Boyardee Pizza Kits
VBS on the Road
We are looking for volunteers to lead and/or host 2-hour day camps in subdivisions around our area during the month of July. If you are interested in teaching or hosting, please contact Bro. Mark. mark@pinerbaptist.org