"Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." 1 Samuel 23:17
Have you ever had a dream or goal that someone in your life was jealous over? This could be a supervisor, spiritual leader, friend, or family member. Have you ever had a boss who may have seemed threatened with your anointing or gifting? This was the case for David.
Anointed to be king when he was just a boy, and serving under the reign of Saul, David evoked such jealousy in Saul as he grew older that Saul tried to kill him! But David stayed pure in heart in spite of Saul's schemes and found strength in God even in the midst of his circumstances. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26
There are some things that David did that we should consider emulating when we find ourselves in tough spots when it comes to bosses, co-workers, or friends who appear to be threatened or jealous. David never tried to overthrow Saul by his own strength. Although he had the chance to kill Saul, he never did because he knew if he did, he would be taking matters into his own hands. Saul eventually killed himself by falling on his own sword. (1 Samuel 31:4) David simply served Saul until it was time for him to become king. And God used these experiences to purify David's heart as well, and to test him.
Do you have people in your life who are like Sauls, (perhaps unknowingly) trying to discourage you from your purpose? Are you prepared to let God fight those battles for you and stay pure in heart, and focused on Him?
"But the angel said, 'I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time - God's time.'" -Luke 1:20
In the Bible, Zachariah was a priest who lived during the reign of King Herod. He and his wife Elizabeth were God-fearing people, who the Bible says, “lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God.” (Luke 1:6)
Zachariah and his wife had always wanted children, but they couldn’t conceive. At this time, they were getting “quite old.” (v. 7)
One day, Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties at the temple, on his assigned schedule. It was his turn to enter the sanctuary and burn incense. While he was there, something incredible happened: an angel appeared to Him and told him he and his wife would have a son.
At first, Zachariah didn’t believe him. "Do you expect me to believe this?” he said. “I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman." The angel again confirmed what he was saying, made Zachariah mute, and said, “Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time – God’s time.”(v. 20)
Sometimes in life we can doubt God’s working in our lives. We may feel we are too young, too old, too ill equipped or too unholy for God to use us. This is when God shows us we are to “mute our feelings” so we don’t speak doubt and death over His plan for us. Our part is trusting God, keeping His ways, and living with a “clear conscience” as Zachariah and his wife did. We can’t make God’s will happen in our own strength.
Are you able to trust God’s timing?
