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 are other times in our lives when waiting seems long. An unmet expectation, punishment, or suffering an 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 and 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 did not act. Because he suffered the consequences for his sin with Bathsheba, David believed that the LORD might have told the man to torment David and curse him.
There are no definitive clues to the exact order of many Psalms, so they are determined by the theme and contents. From our last Bible reading, it appears David was at first confident that he would be vindicated and quickly returned. Sin, however, (whether ours or someone else’s) has a way of delaying our plans.
What should we do while waiting?
After a while of suffering the shame of being dethroned, David is, at times, disillusioned and discouraged (Psalm 10). Nevertheless, it is his job to encourage his troops. They are probably thinking, Why did we flee and not fight to defend Jerusalem? Are we not David’s most talented troops and fiercely loyal to him? Why does David not 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 is 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.
But, biding our time is often challenging. Some may think that nothing is going to change by waiting. David knows, however, that God is acquainted with all his ways. He has faith in the LORD.
Change the Focus from Us to God
If we truly believe the LORD is Sovereign and Almighty to deliver us, we will not make measly attempts to do it ourselves—we will wait for the muscle of God. We will continue to serve and worship him. We will call upon God and expectantly watch for him to deliver.
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
“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 that 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 us 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 mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead:David has prayed and waited for the LORD to deliver, but he experiences “The Silence of God.” Why does he not answer? Maybe you have experienced this, too. Get some encouragement in our Next Lesson.
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