«After this, David asked the Lord, ‘Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?’ » (2 Samuel 2:1, NLT).
When Saul died, David did not pack his bags to go back to Israel and claim the throne.
At that time, he was living among the Philistines. He had fled there to protect his life, because Saul was persecuting him. It had been fifteen to twenty years since Samuel had anointed him the next king of Israel, but when Saul finally died, David did not rush to Jerusalem. He did not go out to buy new robes, or try on crowns to see which one fit him best. What did he do? He asked the Lord: «Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?» (2 Samuel 2:1, NLT). How striking! David not only fully trusted God’s plan, but also God’s timing. He had not chosen to be king; God had chosen him. David did not feel any need to force or manipulate the situation! God told him to return to Hebron and there he was crowned king, but only over the tribe of Judah. Ishbosheth was proclaimed king over the rest of the tribes. Can you imagine that? After waiting for almost twenty years, you receive a «consolation prize,» a small tribe to govern.
Ishbosheth was not «the Lord’s anointed» as Saul had been. David could have rationalized the situation, he could have sent someone to murder Ishbosheth. However, once again, he did not force things. Ishbosheth reigned for two years. During that time, there was war between Saul’s house and David. Saul’s dynasty was weakened with every battle. Finally, Ishbosheth was murdered by two captains of his own troops.
Having faith in God implies trusting in His timing, trusting in the process. Not despairing, not manipulating, not pushing. Getting there too soon might be harmful. It is dangerous to get to the throne (or any situation of leadership and power) without a properly developed character. In It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Christian writer Lysa TerKeurst ponders, «Trusting God is trusting in His timing. Trusting God is trusting in His way. God loves me too much to answer my prayers at any other time than the right time and in any other way than the right way.» Do not despair! Be patient, like David. God’s timing is perfect.
Lord, I want to trust not only in Your plans, but also in Your timing.
Help me to live humbly and faithfully. When the time is right, everything you have planned for me will come true.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
