+DEV+ In the Meantime

Date: January 3, 2011 1:24 AM
Topic: +DEV+ In the Meantime

In the Meantime

"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed [David] in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power" (1 Samuel 16:13).
Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 16:10-13, 18-21

God directed Samuel to anoint David as the next king of Israel. But years passed before David would assume that role. So what did he do in the meantime? He tended his father's sheep. He played his harp. He became the king's armor bearer. For many of those years he lived a very ordinary life while waiting for his extraordinary appointment.

We may grow restless waiting for God to work in our lives. We shouldn't devalue the significance of "the meantime." How easy it is to idealize our goal and not appreciate the process. While David waited to become king, he continued to shepherd his sheep, a task that later gave insight in shepherding God's people (2 Samuel 5:2). He became Saul's armor bearer but apparently learned more about the armor of God.

There are seasons of life when God calls us to live "in the meantime." David didn't waste the meantime. We can wait as he did, allowing God to work in our ordinary days to teach us extraordinary truths about Him. And that's what we're called to do.

Insight: While You're Waiting For God To Work, Continue To Be Diligent With The Ordinary Responsibilities He Has For You Today.