What is it that made David so special to the Lord? Can we have or do the same?
As we read David’s history in the book of first Samuel we see that Saul increasingly hated David. In fact the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul and evil spirits took hold of him and used him to hunt David down (1 Samuel 16:14). I can imagine that Satan would have loved to get rid of David because of the key role he had to play in the Lord’s salvation plan. Saul first started to involve David in his life and house and even gave his daughters to David in marriage. But then his attitude changed and he actively pursued David to try and kill him, for David was more popular than Saul.
It all started when David defeated Goliath. “When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang:
‘Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.’
and David his tens of thousands.’
Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’” (1 Samuel 18:6-8).
This hunt went on and David spent most of the time running from Saul, until one day... “He [Saul] came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, ‘This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’’ Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.’ With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way,” (1 Samuel 24:3-7).
What would we have done in David’s position? Many times Saul nearly killed David. This was his perfect opportunity to get rid of this person who stood in the way of his dreams. He was already anointed king, had his own army and was popular with the people. All that was necessary was for him to get rid of Saul. That was how it worked those days in war, wasn’t it - you kill the king and take his land.
But David was in touch with the Lord. Never in his life had he ever done anything without enquiring from God. He was not going to take matters in his own hands. The Lord reigned and he was only the Lord’s chosen instrument to accomplish His purposes for such a time.
The Lord loved this attitude of his and called him a man after His own heart.
Are you waiting on the Lord? Do you honour the people the Lord put in your way to mature you for what He is about to do with your life, even if you don’t like them? When you feel the Lord is too slow for your liking, do you take matters in your own hands? Do you listen to people’s advice or do you enquire of the Lord?
Even though we do not always understand or approve of the way the Lord works, it is paramount that we trust Him that He knows what He is doing. We will be tested whether we are prepared to wait on the Lord and will be tempted (like David was) to take matters in our own hands – “they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint,” (Isaiah 40:31).
Lord, help me to honour your plans for my life.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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