+DEV+ Timing is Everything

Date: January 11, 2011 9:27 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Timing is Everything

Timing is Everything

"Abishai said to David, 'Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands...' 'As surely as the Lord lives,' [David] said, 'the LORD himself will strike him'" (1 Samuel 26:8a, 10a).
Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 26:5-12

After David was anointed the next king of Israel, he spent years running for his life. Saul, the current king, wanted David dead. Though he had two perfect opportunities to kill Saul and was encouraged to do so by his men, David declined.

How did David know that these opportunities weren't God's provision? Why didn't he see them as the means by which God was fulfilling his promise? Logic, rationalization, and encouragement from others did not convince David. He waited for peace from God. Killing Saul would be a means to an end - a quick way to the kingdom. But David knew that would not glorify God.

It is tempting to justify speeding up God's timing. We don't always enjoy waiting for God. And it's tempting to jump at opportunities to hurry Him when we only think of the end goal. Yet God wants the process to glorify Him. Seeking God's timing results in peace and willingness to wait for it. When we desire Him to be glorified more than we desire to obtain a goal, God directs the means.

Insight: When you're tempted to manipulate your circumstances, ask yourself if your actions would glorify God. Wait for His peace.