The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 5:12,
"Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel."
"Then" in the above verse refers to the occasion when Hiram, king of Tyre, sent envoys to David together with building materials and builders.
The Lord could have made David Israel's next king immediately when he decided to replace Saul. However, what we read here is that it is not until after many different things had taken place from the time Samuel anointed David as Israel's new king until now that David recognized the Lord had finally "established" David's throne in Israel.
It wasn't a short road from the time the Lord decided (and let it be known!) to replace Saul, to the time David's kingdom was finally established in the nation. A number of events intervened, political intrigue and upheaval, conflict and war, major family turns and twists and disasters all had its impact on David and the nation to bring things in the nation to the point when David was finally established as king over Israel.
God is our transcendent and Sovereign Creator. He could have just ordered things so that David was immediately established on the throne the day he let it known he was going to replace Saul. But God had other things he wanted to do, there were additional agendas of his that attended the ascendancy of David to Israel's throne. Many of those things, no doubt, where unknown to David and the others who played a part in Israel's history at this time.
The thought strikes me that where I may be unable to walk and chew gum all at the same time, God is able to accomplish innumerable things when he accomplishes just one thing. Due to this, where I may expect something from God to happen immediately, it just may be that what I am anticipating is taking the long way to arrive because the Lord is doing other things I may not be aware of. Things that may take a little longer but are important for the level at which God may want whatever it is to be. Things that may be required to accomplish what it is God is doing in the way God wants it to happen.
Sometimes we do know what it is God may be doing that causes what I want to happen right now to take much longer. I am reminded of passages such as, (in looking for the return of Jesus Christ) when Peter says "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 1 Peter 3:8-9. Also James 5:7-8. "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."
What is it you may be patiently awaiting for from the Lord? One possible reason what you have prayed for has not yet arrived is that the Lord may be accomplishing the very thing in his own, much superior way than we could ever imagine… taking his time to bring the best.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel."
"Then" in the above verse refers to the occasion when Hiram, king of Tyre, sent envoys to David together with building materials and builders.
The Lord could have made David Israel's next king immediately when he decided to replace Saul. However, what we read here is that it is not until after many different things had taken place from the time Samuel anointed David as Israel's new king until now that David recognized the Lord had finally "established" David's throne in Israel.
It wasn't a short road from the time the Lord decided (and let it be known!) to replace Saul, to the time David's kingdom was finally established in the nation. A number of events intervened, political intrigue and upheaval, conflict and war, major family turns and twists and disasters all had its impact on David and the nation to bring things in the nation to the point when David was finally established as king over Israel.
God is our transcendent and Sovereign Creator. He could have just ordered things so that David was immediately established on the throne the day he let it known he was going to replace Saul. But God had other things he wanted to do, there were additional agendas of his that attended the ascendancy of David to Israel's throne. Many of those things, no doubt, where unknown to David and the others who played a part in Israel's history at this time.
The thought strikes me that where I may be unable to walk and chew gum all at the same time, God is able to accomplish innumerable things when he accomplishes just one thing. Due to this, where I may expect something from God to happen immediately, it just may be that what I am anticipating is taking the long way to arrive because the Lord is doing other things I may not be aware of. Things that may take a little longer but are important for the level at which God may want whatever it is to be. Things that may be required to accomplish what it is God is doing in the way God wants it to happen.
Sometimes we do know what it is God may be doing that causes what I want to happen right now to take much longer. I am reminded of passages such as, (in looking for the return of Jesus Christ) when Peter says "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 1 Peter 3:8-9. Also James 5:7-8. "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."
What is it you may be patiently awaiting for from the Lord? One possible reason what you have prayed for has not yet arrived is that the Lord may be accomplishing the very thing in his own, much superior way than we could ever imagine… taking his time to bring the best.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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