Day 130, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Psalms 37, 9, 10, 27; 2Samuel 15:37; 2Samuel 16:15
Waiting for Deliverance
Waiting at an airport terminal can be long and tiring. We wonder if our flight will ever arrive. There’re other times in our lives when waiting also seems long. An unmet expectation, punishment, or suffering injustice can test our endurance. Should we keep waiting or act?
In this series of Bible studies, Absalom, King David’s son, staged a coup to unseat his father. Being informed of this, King David left Jerusalem to spare the city and God’s tabernacle from suffering the effects of civil war. He also wanted to avoid facing his son in battle.
To some, leaving Jerusalem appeared to be an act of cowardice and weakness. David was humiliated. As they fled from the city, he and his army were pelted with stones and showered with dirt by a Benjamite still loyal to King Saul. Still, David didn’t act. Because he suffered the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba, David believed the LORD might’ve told the man to torment David and curse him.
There’re no definitive clues to the exact order of many Psalms, so they’re determined by the contents and the themes of each. In our last Bible reading, it appears David was at first confident he would be vindicated and returned. Sin, however, delayed his plans as it does ours.
What should we do while waiting?
In today’s Bible reading, David is disillusioned and discouraged (Psalm 10). It’s been a while since he suffered the shame of being dethroned. Despite this, it’s his job to encourage his troops. They’re probably thinking, Why did we flee and not fight to defend Jerusalem? Aren’t we David’s most talented troops and fiercely loyal to him? Why doesn’t David return? Can our brave warrior not fight for himself? Why do we, too, suffer this shame and humiliation? How can we be fed in this desert? What about our families—how will we care for them?
It’s natural to second guess ourselves and others. We wonder if we should have done differently. What do we do when problems have no immediate solution?
What does David do while he is waiting for God’s deliverance? Does he plan and scheme on how to retake his throne? No. David prays and encourages himself and those with him to be patient for the LORD’s deliverance.
Biding our time is often challenging. Some may think nothing is going to change by waiting. David knows, however, that God is acquainted with all his ways. He has faith in the LORD.
How to change the focus from ourselves to God
If we believe the LORD is Sovereign and Almighty to deliver us, we won’t make measly attempts to do it ourselves—we’ll wait for the muscle of God. We’ll continue to serve and worship him. We’ll call upon God and watch for him to deliver us.
King David writes,
Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-- it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land (Psalm 37:1-9, NIV).
Pray for God to work against evil
Pray for God to Work against Evil
“Now David had been told, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ So David prayed, ‘O LORD, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness’” (2Samuel 15:31, NIV). God can frustrate the plans of the wicked, so we should pray for it.
David has informants in the palace to tell him of the plans of Absalom. He even asks his close advisor and friend, Hushai, to go back to Jerusalem and be a counselor to Absalom. In this way, he might frustrate the wisdom of Ahithophel. Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, will take any information given to them and send it to David by their sons.
David writes further in some of his songs (Psalms),
“The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands” (Psalm 9:16, NIV).
“The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV)
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13-14, NIV).
Are we confident that the LORD will deliver us in his perfect timing? Then, let's be patient and see the salvation of God.
Focus Verse
Psalm 27:14 (NIV) “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Discussion
What should we do when God does not immediately deliver us from bad circumstances?
When we pray, how should we wait?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: David has prayed and waited for the LORD to deliver, but he experiences “The silence of God.” Why doesn’t he answer? Maybe you have experienced this, too. Get some encouragement in our next lesson.
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagepage last re-edited 8-20-2024
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES