How Long Can You Wait?

I have had to wait for different things at different points in my life but perhaps my worst moment of waiting was when I had to wait two weeks for my driver’s licence in a new country. Although I was waiting for something that had a definite date, not being able to move around freely for just two weeks felt like two decades of living on an abandoned island-quite frankly, it was one of those moments that I came to terms with the fact that I needed more fruit of patience. Guess what? You’re not any better than me! Why do we have so many “fast food” chains? Why are microwave dinners so popular? It is all because we don’t like to wait.

Yet, when I think about David and his waiting moments, I’m forced to go back to the place of prayer to truly seek God for help. God sent Samuel to tell David that he would be king when he was just 15 years old? At that time, David was just a shepherd boy who was always overlooked by his older brothers. But God had a plan for David’s life, it just took a while for it to happen. David had to be patient and trust that God would do what he promised.

David had to wait something like 15 years from the time he was first anointed by Samuel to the time he became king over Judah (as recorded in our text). It was another seven years before David was anointed king over all Israel. This means David waited over 20 years of his life to be made king. How David handled this more than two decade delay is something we should all learn from, especially because the waiting years weren’t exactly spent in peace and rest. 

After David’s victory over Goliath, the women began to sing “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7), Saul became jealous and his jealousy marked the end of peace for David. The young man literally spent the most part of his youth being a fugitive. 

David flees first to Nob, where he was given assistance by Ahimelech the priest (21:1-9). This act of kindness costs Ahimelech his life, along with the other priests and their families at Nob (22:6-19). David flees next to Gath, and then to the cave of Adullam, where family, friends, and other people out of favour with Saul join with him (22:1-5). David had a number of close calls, but God always delivered him from the hand of Saul. During these times, David twice puts himself at risk by attempting to reconcile with Saul. In spite of momentary repentance, Saul persists in pursuing David as an enemy. While Saul makes promises to David on these occasions that he does not keep, David makes a commitment to Saul that he will keep. 

Throughout this period God was watching the attitude of David while he was in the waiting lounge. He was ordained for a throne that is not vacant, he had every opportunity to empty the throne and sit on it, yet he won’t have it unless it is God himself giving it. What a great example of waiting?

I know you’re dealing with a lot right now but compared to David how long have you actually waited and how long can you wait? After such a long wait, David was more than qualified to teach the words of Psalm 27:14 “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord”