As backstory to the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series, I decided to read Beth Moore’s study, A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David. I’m halfway through the book now, and just to the point where David is crowned king of Judah. One thing standing out to me above David’s character and exploits is this—David did a lot of waiting.
Waiting on God
At the age of 15, David was called in from caring for his father’s sheep to meet the prophet Samuel. Upon receiving confirmation from God, Samuel proceeded to anoint David the next king of Israel. It was another 15 years before David was crowned, and then it was only over Judah. It was another 7 1/2 years before Judah and Israel were united under David’s rule.
During these long years, David killed Goliath, married Saul’s daughter, Michael, became best friends with Saul’s son, Jonathon, and rose through the ranks of Saul’s army. Saul became so jealous over David’s success, he tried to kill David, forcing him into exile.
While on the run for his life, David had two opportunities to kill Saul and take the throne, but he refused to do so. Rather, David chose to wait on God to move on his behalf.
David chose to wait on God to move on his behalf. Click To TweetEnduring through pain
The psalms David wrote over the course of his life show us his struggle. Pleading with God to spare him from his enemies. Asking God how long he would have to watch while the wicked prospered in his way. Crying out to God in agony of spirit time and time again. But through it all, David’s faith never wavered.
The process and the praise
Waiting on God to move is never easy. There are times we feel God is not with us, as David did. We can grow depressed, weary of the struggle, as David did. But we can also choose to praise as David did. We can remember God’s actions on our behalf and battles we overcame in God’s strength. We can list ways God provided for us and rehearse His attributes in worship. There are many ways we can walk with God in the waiting, growing our faith as we do.
God’s multifaceted purpose
Our waiting may seem endless at times, but it is never purposeless. God always has a plan. In David’s case, God had to teach him to become a leader. First as a shepherd, then as a soldier and a husband, then as the head of a rag-tag band of exiles. Each role filled a gap in David’s kingly resume.
David also needed to build his patience and trust in God. As we see in his dealings with Goliath, David, though well meaning, could be a little impulsive. Israel needed a king who was willing to wait on God’s timing, unlike Saul who grew impatient and gave a sacrifice before battle himself instead of waiting on Samuel as instructed.
Lastly, David needed to deepen his relationship with the people. At 15, no one knew the son of Jesse, shepherd boy. The people had chosen Saul as their leader because of his dashing good looks and imposing stature. God needed to teach them the inside of a man is more important than his outward appearance. As God taught Samuel at the time of David’s anointing,
The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7
Life is a puzzle
Life is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. We move around the pieces, connecting them occasionally while spending much time staring at the mess wondering how it will all come together.
The key to puzzles and to life is patience. God knows how it all comes together. He knows the end result is a beautiful image reelecting His power and glory. We only see in part. Like David, we need to wait on God to move the pieces in place in His time.
Don’t grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). God is with you just as He was with David every step of the way. When the time is right, the picture will be made clear.
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