Accepting God’s Will
This morning was pretty rough for me. I struggled with a headache and some fatigue. Then I recalled that my water intake yesterday was not what it needed to be. It is interesting how sometime the basics can make such a big difference. So, some of my normal Tuesday routine was thrown off a little as I got in some additional rest.
What was interesting is that I did make it to the fitness center. I actually achieved a PB (personal best) for my bike riding time. That was something that I did not expect in light of how my workout was yesterday and fighting the fatigue of the morning.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Don’t be afraid,” he [Jonathan] said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You [David] will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 1 Samuel 23:17
“Now I [Saul] am sure that you [David] will be king of Israel and that the kingdom will continue under your rule.” 1 Samuel 24:20
The character study of Saul, Jonathan and David is an interesting one. In these three men you have a reigning King, the heir to the throne and God’s anointed King. Saul is the reluctant and self-conscious King who struggled between obedience to God and pleasing the people. After Saul’s disobedience in the war with the Amalekites, the prophet Samuel pronounced this judgement, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone who is a better man than you. Israel’s majestic God does not lie or change his mind. He is not a human being—he does not change his mind.” (1 Samuel 15:28,29)
This is the second time in Samuel’s prophetic ministry that the Lord pronounced judgment through him. The first is when he was young in the house of Eli the priest. When the Lord showed Samuel the judgment coming on Eli’s house, he told it to Eli and Eli responded with the words, “He is the Lord; he will do whatever seems best to him.” (1 Samuel 3:18)
In contrast, Saul allowed his jealousy and insecurities to make David an enemy even though David was loyal to Saul. Saul spent time and resources and committed brutal murders all out of hatred for David.
Jonathan, really had the most to lose. Jonathan would have been the son of Saul’s in the normal succession to the throne. But Jonathan recognized God’s hand on David and not only accepted God’s will for David, but pledged to be second in command and work for the success of David’s kingdom.
David became the outcast and fugitive. He spent years running from Saul with a rag-tag of an assembled army who became valiant fighting men. On two occasions, David spares Saul’s life and even when Saul is killed in battle David shows his fiercely respect for Saul’s position.
What can we observe in these reactions to God’s plan?
Saul fought against God’s will and made David his enemy and in so doing found himself fighting against God. This only added to his mental anguish and torment. It appears that Saul finally was able to verbalize that David would be King and that the kingdom of Israel would continue under his reign. However, the transition from Saul to David was not easy and took several years.
Jonathan was caught in the middle between his loyalty to David and his father. He endured his father’s wrath when he tried to defend David. Jonathan found himself accepting not fighting God’s plan. Not only that he pledge his support of God’s plan. Remember Jonathan and his armor bearer had won a single-handed battle; so this was not a man who was a push over with no ambition.
David learned about trusting God to bring about His plan, in His way and in His time. David’s days of fearing for his life taught him some valuable lessons about himself and the Lord. He knew what is was to face hardship and trouble and persecution and see the Lord deliver him. He knew what it was to find the Lord as his refuge and strength and ever-present help in time of trouble.
When it comes to accepting God’s will who are you like? Saul, Jonathan or David? Although I was always troubled by Eli’s response, it is true that the Lord’s will, will prevail. Our challenge is knowing God’s will, accepting God’s will, (especially when it is counter to our expectation) and then being patient for the fulfilling of God’s will in our life.
The reality is that in our life, at various times, we will find ourselves identifying with all three of these men. But we can always be assured that when we remain open, teachable and patient that we will see the Lord’s faithfulness in our life.