Right on Time
In 1 Samuel 16:12-13, David was anointed to be king over Israel:
“And [Jesse] sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (KJV)
Most scholars believe that David was between 10 and 15 years of age when this occurred. However, it was more than 20 years before Samuel’s prophecy to David was fulfilled in 2 Samuel 5:1-5:
“Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in.’ And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron, he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem, he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.” (NAS)
According to these verses, David was 30 years old when he became king. HOWEVER, the first 7 years of his reign, David was king over only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, commonly referred to simply as Judah (verses 4-5); Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, ruled over the actual nation of Israel. During the seven years David ruled Judah, his throne was in Hebron. Finally, when he was 37, the prophecy was fulfilled, and David was made king over all of Israel, moving his throne to Jerusalem.
The math isn’t complicated: if David was 10 years old when Samuel anointed him, and 37 when he took the throne, it means he waited 27 years before the word was fully fulfilled; if he was 11 when anointed, he waited 26 years, and so on. My point is simply that David waited a long time before his promise came to pass. And the waiting was anything but pleasant. During those years, David was horribly persecuted by King Saul, became an outcast from Israel, lived in caves, and struggled just to survive. His home was not a palace, but a cave named Adullam.
Many of David’s prayers and declarations in the Psalms were written during this time. In Psalm 27:1, he penned, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” (NAS) These words are much more meaningful when we realize David wrote them by candlelight in a dark, damp cave, during a time when the king of Israel had a bounty on his head!
David did not write the incredible 23rd Psalm, which has brought comfort to untold millions over the years, in a coffee shop or an air-conditioned office. He wrote it while fleeing from Saul, in exile from his own people, and living among strangers - even enemies. His life was continually threatened. The Psalm is an outpouring of David’s confidence in the Lord and trust in His care, even when experiencing the very real threat of death. He drew on memories of shepherding and protecting his father’s sheep to picture the Lord’s care for him. “Just as I was their shepherd, You are my Shepherd.” David declared. “You feed me, protect me, and comfort me.”
He wrote the amazing 91st Psalm during this same season of his life. While living in caves, David declared that he was dwelling in the shelter of the Most High, abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Take some time and read this Psalm as you consider David’s circumstances. What amazing declarations of faith; what an incredible trust in the Lord he possessed.
God did not waste David’s Adullam years; they were part of his training. This doesn’t mean God caused the evil, hatred, and treachery of those who attacked him. It means that God brought good from the evil, making it serve His purposes and David’s destiny:
David learned to trust
He learned to lead, beginning with an army of misfits and outcasts (1 Samuel 22:2)
He learned humility
He learned to overcome rejection and betrayal
He learned to appreciate the small things
He learned to wait
He learned of God’s faithfulness
And he learned to love the presence of God
When a journey toward a God-given promise becomes unexpectedly long, is plagued with difficult delays, and fraught with monumental challenges, remember that the delays haven’t taken Him by surprise. God knew how long the process would take: He foresaw the obstacles, planned how you would overcome them, and determined how He would use them to prepare you for your destiny. With these things in mind, He started you on the journey far enough in advance to get you there right on time. When you finally arrive at the fulfillment, you’ll realize you didn’t arrive late…just like David.
One more thing. The seven years David spent reigning over Judah in Hebron were not inconsequential, just one more delay waiting for “the real thing.” They were important! Hebron means “covenantal friendship;” it was actually here that God’s friend, Abraham, was buried. God wanted David to know, before he rose to the throne over all of Israel, that the ultimate key to success was through covenant and closeness to Him. Hebron was also the mountain city in the Promised Land where Caleb conquered its greatest giant (Joshua 14:15). David needed to learn that covenant and intimacy with God were keys to overcoming life’s “giants.” “Learn these lessons, David, and you’ll be ready for the ultimate throne in Jerusalem.”
The purpose of today’s post is not just to give a history lesson; it is to remind us that when it seems a promise from God is taking forever, this is neither without purpose nor unexpected by Him. He knew how long the process would take and is using the time to accomplish His purposes. This is true for us as individuals, and also for nations. God knew how long it would take to restore America, and started early enough to get us to the finish line right on time. Not only will America be saved, she will be saved right on time. We have overcome in our Adullams, killed our giants, learned many lessons, built our friendship with God, and are now heading toward our Jerusalem.
Stay the course.
Pray with me:
Father, we have been on what seems like a long journey to see America saved and restored. Like David, we have occasionally experienced setbacks, demonic opposition, the actions of unrighteous leaders, abusive policies, and other delays. Please keep the ekklesia reminded that these delays have not taken You by surprise, that You planned ahead for our victories, and just how You would use the battles to mature us.
As we move forward, please remind believers that we must persevere in our prayers. Give us increased revelation, reminding us that our unseen prayers can literally produce visible results in Washington, D.C., and in other places here and abroad. May we not leave our posts on the wall, watching and listening for Your alerts and instructions.
We pray that the exposure of the Deep State and anti-Christ forces continues. You said righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) We have been disgraced by unrighteous actions in our nation, and the people indeed groan under the weight of sin and deceit. Continue to use good and wise leaders to expose, expose, expose. You also told us Jesus is the ONLY way to You (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We love people of all faiths, but will never compromise this truth. And America was founded by You to spread this message–we will not allow this destiny to be stolen. Islam will not rule America, nor will socialism or communism. Many of those associated with these beliefs will be saved in the revival that has begun. We ask for this. In Christ’s authority, we pray. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that we, God’s Ekklesia on earth, will NOT grow weary in our well-doing, and we WILL reap in our “due season” (Galatians 6:9).
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