Seeking a Heart Like His – Through Success

It’s finally David’s time. Saul is dead. Israel needs a new king – and David is uniquely prepared for the role. 15 chapters and many, many years have passed since Samuel anointed David, a young shepherd boy, to be the next king of Israel. David has patiently waited and trusted in God, through the running, through the hiding, through all the trials… and now it is finally his time.

I think there is no more dangerous time that when we finally feel it is our time. When we get the big job, when God entrusts us with great responsibility and great ministry, when things are suddenly coming together and it is good, all good. Success finally comes and it feels good after the hard work, after the waiting, after all the prep work, all the paying our dues – it is finally our time, time to step into God’s purpose for our lives, time to see the fruits of our labors, time to…. Time to get full of ourselves, to think we deserve it, that we made it happen; time to become arrogant and prideful, time to get caught up in the money, in the reputation, in the spotlight or recognition, time that we can easily forget about God and forget that He is the One that led us there.

Yet, David doesn’t respond that way. It is finally David’s time and he approaches it with wisdom, humility, and grace. He is told that Saul is dead. Instead of rejoicing that his archenemy was out of the way, he leads Judah in mourning for the king. He seeks God’s guidance about his next steps. Instead of demanding respect and forcing the kingship, he works to win the respect and trust of Israel – reaching out to the men of Jabesh-Gilead and making peace with Abner, one of Israel’s leaders (2 Samuel 3). His confidence remains in God and God brings him favor. “David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Israel grew weaker and weaker” (2 Samuel 3:1b). God paves the way for David to become king. In His time, the shepherd boy becomes the shepherd-king of Israel. The tender heart of David, the one who handled this transition with such wisdom, humility, and grace – that tender heart, I think, is part of what made David a man after God’s own heart.

I want to be a woman after His heart – that’s what this whole study has been about for me, seeking a heart like His. Sometimes though, I don’t handle success well. There have been times in my life when I have felt I am exactly where I am supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I feel myself starting to step into God’s purposes in my life, I see Him starting to use me. But then I get I get overly confident. I don’t wait on Him, and I take my eyes off of Him. I start to see my reflection in the mirror, instead of His, and stop to gaze and enjoy the view. Before I know it, I start sinking in the waves and falling on my face. Oh, to walk in that humility like David did, to keep my confidence on God alone, and to let Him be glorified, to see His reflection in my life and to let others see Him at work – then I will be able to handle success well and to have a heart like His.

Seeking a Heart Like His - Through Waiting

For those of you who don’t know, I am currently doing a Beth Moore Bible study on David. This study is so rich and has prompted my thinking in so many ways about what it meant for David to be a man after God’s own heart and what it means to me to be a woman after God’s own heart.

What must it be like to have a clear sense of where God is calling you and who he is calling you to be, only to be told, not yet? That is where David finds himself in this week’s passage (1 Samuel 21 - 24). He has been anointed as king-to-be (ch 16). He has won a great victory over Goliath (ch 17). He has become famous throughout Israel, married the king’s daughter, taken on a prestigious position in the king’s court (ch 18). It looks like this is going to happen, that he is going to be king and the pieces are all coming together. But they aren’t. He has made this great climb up the ladder from unknown shepherd to famous warrior, but Saul is still king. Instead of preparing his future successor, Saul is trying to kill David. Instead of learning the ropes and building his future administration, David is running for his life and hiding in caves, leaving his family and friends behind, seeking refuge in enemy territory, crying out to God for help (ch 21-24).

So close, and yet so far away. And yet, David doesn’t rush God. As Saul is tracking David down, David even has the chance to take Saul’s life – to hurry things along, to speed up this process. But he doesn’t. David couldn’t have taken a shortcut to the throne. His men urged him on, and yet, David is resolute. David chooses to wait on the Lord – “Who am I to raise a hand against the Lord’s anointed?”

Wow! I wish I could rest in God like that. I am queen of second-guessing. Even when I feel like I have clear direction from God, I get anxious in the waiting wondering if I am doing enough, wondering what I need to do, wondering when things are going to fall into place. I still feel somehow it is up to me, even when it clearly is not. God is sovereign. He is the one that calls us, equips us, and uses us. He is the one that works all things out for good to those that love Him and are called to His purposes (Romans 8:28). That doesn’t always happen on our timetables, but we can rest in the waiting, knowing He is at work.

I can’t help but think of the song, “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller. Hopefully it will encourage you as much as it has encouraged me during those times of waiting.

“I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait
YES, I WILL WAIT…” [emphasis mine]