SCRIPTURE:

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Habakkuk 2:3 
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

DEVO:

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in the middle of where you used to be and where you want to be? Have you ever felt like you’re wedged between a dream or a promise God gave you and the fulfillment of that promise? When we first get introduced to King David, he is a young shepherd boy who is anointed the next king of Israel. A special calling has been placed on his life. He’s been set apart for a unique and distinct assignment. You would think that the next chapter of David’s story would read, “And he assumed the throne and began to rule the land with dignity, fairness, and honor.” But it doesn’t. In fact, the next scene of David’s life is about as far away from a palace as you can get. He’s back out in the pasture, tending to his father’s sheep. 

David doesn’t step into his promised role as the king for nearly 15 years! God’s timeline often seems to not line up with our timeline. What is God doing when we find ourselves stuck in-between, when the process seems to be delayed?

When you look at David’s life, it seems to be this maze of twists and turns that do not lead to your typical pipeline for a king. He gets plucked up from the sheepfolds and is asked to take food to his brothers. This humble job as a delivery boy puts him in front of an opportunity to slay the Philistine champion, Goliath. After doing so and ensuring victory for the Israelite army, he is asked to serve the current king, Saul, in his court by playing the harp to ease Saul’s tormented and anxious spirit. It’s here that Saul begins to get jealous of David and tries to kill him, sending David on the run for several years. David camps out in the Cave of Adullam and En Gedi where God surrounds him with disgruntled, discontented, and discouraged men. David shapes these men into courageous and loyal warriors. He now has a strong army but no Kingdom. God’s pathway for David is anything but ordinary, but then again, God never works within “normal” human means.

If I were in charge of the selection committee for the next King of Israel, there are a few things I would be looking for. One, I would look for someone who had a heart for the people. Someone who wasn’t merely looking to use the throne as a way to further their own agenda, but one who sees it as an opportunity to help the marginalized, the oppressed, the distraught, the down and out. I would look for someone who had the heart of a shepherd, tending to his flock with intentionality and care.

I would also look for someone who knew when it was time to fight. Someone who would bravely stand on the front lines of the battle, rather than in the back watching it all go down. I would look for someone who was a battle-worn hero, who knew the weight of the sacrifices of war. Someone who wouldn’t send our sons and daughters out to war without counting the cost and considering whether or not the battle was absolutely necessary for the safety and security of the people. I would look for someone who was a warrior.

I would also look for someone who understood the ins and outs of diplomacy and policy. Someone who could help write laws and negotiate in such a way that it would keep the people of our nation safe and prosperous. Someone who knew how to tend to the domestic affairs of our economy, job production, and city infrastructures. Someone who had engaged with politicians and diplomats and understood the unique rhetoric that was necessary for drawing up strategic alliances. I would look for a politician of some sorts—one who knew how to get things done.

I would also look for someone who was a leader. One who was able to command armies and legions. One who was able to raise up generals, develop other benevolent rulers, and place them over areas of the Kingdom to rule with the same humble heart. One who loved to see other people around him excel. I would look for someone who was a true servant leader.

I would hope the search committee would agree with me that our kingdom needed someone who modeled the qualities of shepherd, warrior, politician, and servant leader. The question is, where do you find someone like this? Do you choose someone who has spent his entire life in a palace or a preparatory school? Or is there another “classroom” that is necessary for growing someone of this caliber? How else would you take a young, meek shepherd boy, pluck him from the sheepfolds and make him a king? Well, I suppose you put him in situations where he must defend his sheep in the sheepfolds, situations where he must learn to fight enemies like the Philistine champion, situations where he is listening to political rhetoric while in the corner of the court playing the harp, and maybe situations where he is forced to transform a ragtag bunch of misfits into a mighty army. 

Maybe each place that God had David was part of a developmental process. Maybe, like a photograph, he needed to go into a “darkroom” to be developed. If he had been exposed to “the light” too early, it would have ruined the picture God was imprinting on his life. Perhaps in our “in-the-meantime” places, God is doing the same. Perhaps where we find ourselves today isn’t a destination, it’s preparation for the ultimate assignment God has for us. Don’t get discouraged when your classroom doesn’t look a whole lot like your calling. God is using this time to develop you for the destiny he has for you.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND JOURNALING:

1. In what ways have you found yourself somewhere between the anointing and the appointing?

2. Do you ever find yourself discouraged because you’re not where you thought you should be by now? Why is it so easy to get down and discouraged by this?

3. In what ways could you see God may be developing you for a great assignment he has for you? Journal about some of the things you’re learning in this season.

PRAYER:

Lord, I know you’re a good Teacher. I know that you direct our steps each and every day and you’re teaching me more about me and about you along the way. But sometimes I get discouraged by the process. Sometimes I feel like I’m not moving fast enough. Sometimes I feel like it’s taking longer than I anticipated. Help me to trust Your timing. Help me to trust that if it’s not in Your timing it will feel more like a curse rather than the blessing You want it to be. Help me not to get out in front of You in this process.