September 19 – Wisdom Waits (1 Samuel 26)

“The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.”(1 Samuel 26:23)

IN WORD:
David had the opportunity that every oppressed, abused person dreams of: a chance to rid himself of his archenemy. As Saul lay sleeping in his camp, David sneaked through the ranks and put himself in position to thrust a spear into his rival. Surely he hadn’t risked so much entering this camp just to prove a point. But, in fact, he had. As in a similar golden opportunity weeks before, he had no intention of laying a hand on “the Lord’s anointed” (v. 9). David remembered what most of us forget: Our times are in God’s hands.
Most of us would have thought as David’s companion did. Abishai interpreted the event as God’s provision, an ordained moment to throw off the yoke of an oppressive, mad king. Surely God had put David in this strategic position for a reason! And He had; but Abishai thought the reason was Saul’s demise. David knew the reason was to make a statement about his intentions, his innocence, and God’s sovereignty. He had not forgotten that God had placed Saul in his kingship. He dared not violate God’s anointing — even when it had been abused.
Such sensitivity to the wisdom of God would serve us well. David knew Saul would die in God’s timing; but he wasn’t convinced that he himself was an instrument of God’s timing. So he restrained himself. When it comes to God’s will, assertiveness is only appropriate when the path is certain. This path wasn’t certain. Restraint was the better part of faith.

IN DEED:
How do you approach God’s will? When God’s direction seems probable to you, do you forge ahead? Don’t. God never asks us to move ahead on the basis of probabilities. He commands us to move ahead on the basis of His certain promises. But our actions should never be more definite than His timing. If His plan isn’t clear, it is not time to move forward. God does not help those who help themselves. He helps those who trust His sovereignty. He honors faithfulness. When God’s plan is unclear, wisdom waits.

“God aims to exalt Himself by working for those who wait for Him.” -John Piper-