“David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.” – 2 Samuel 5:4-5

Sometimes God’s will takes time to unfold. A lot of time! As a very young man, David was anointed to be the next king of Israel. However, King Saul still sat on the throne of Israel. He didn’t give up his crown willingly and David knew it was wrong to take it from him by force. So, David had to wait for many, many years. And not just wait… he had to run for life. He had to hide. He had to move from place to place.

Once Saul died, David became king… of 1/12 of Israel! It took another seven and a half years of struggle before he united all of Israel under his rule. In other words, it may have taken 20 years (or more!) for David to actually experience the future God had prepared for him. 20 years can feel like forever to a young adult! Those decades between the promise and the reality weren’t because God wasn’t able. It was simply a matter of God’s timing. God’s timing is perfect but it can be very, very different from our preferred schedule.

One of David’s virtues is that he was patient. He never rushed God or tried to help His plan along. Would that we would be like David! Sometimes we get a sense of what God has planned for us and struggle mightily to have patience. We can be so eager to accomplish and experience everything God has prepared for us. If it takes six months or a year, we think something must be wrong!

Could you wait (and struggle) for 20 years to experience what you know God has planned for you? Longer? You might need to. God’s timetable is perfect but it’s probably very different from your preferred timetable. As you gain clarity about God’s will, don’t let the passing of time make you impatient. And if you grow impatient, don’t let that translate into doubt about what you believe God is calling you to. Remember David and re-think your human schedule, embracing the schedule of your eternal Father in Heaven. #FollowJesus

“A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord.” – Psalm 102’s Heading

It’s so precious that the Bible shows us how to do what this psalm does. Sometimes we’re afflicted and overwhelmed. In those times, it is good to pour out our hearts before the Lord. Because He cares for us. Because He loves us. Because He is near to us and comforts us in our affliction.

However, there are good ways and bad ways to pour out the complaints of our hearts. The psalmist teaches us how to do it well. He is completely honest with God, desperate for Him to hear and answer his cries. He pours out his suffering and sorrow with clarity. But he also remembers and acknowledges Who God is. After pouring out his heart, the psalmist still speaks with high regard for the Almighty God of the universe. God’s standing in the universe isn’t based on what He’s done for us lately. Our respect and honor for Him mustn’t be based on that either.

Though the psalmist is very clear and direct in describing his suffering, his praise of God – attributing to God His worth based on His unchanging attributes – gets most of the ink. After voicing his complaint, there are far more verses devoted to exploring Who God is than were devoted to pouring out his grievances. This is the way to pray amidst affliction.

When you’re feeling low, have you learned to pour out your complaints honestly, yet faithfully, to God? Do you honor Him and praise Him for Who He is amidst suffering and sorrow? If you can learn to do these things, you’ll find yourself drawing even closer to God than ever before, even amidst of affliction! #FollowJesus

“So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.” – 1 Chronicles 10:13

King Saul is an interesting little dead-end path along Israel’s journey to being a kingdom. The first king of Israel, Saul is the perfect illustration of what happens when God removes His restraining hand of grace to give sinful people exactly what we ask for. Israel rejected God’s kingship over them and demanded a king like all the neighboring countries. So, God literally gave them a king just like those of their neighbors. Tall, good looking, good at fighting, eager to grab more and more power and wealth for himself and his family. Oppressive. Mentally unstable. Paranoid. Disobedient to God’s Law. Spiritually bankrupt. Willing to dabble in demonic spiritual powers rather than submit to God. Just like neighboring kings!

Saul wasn’t intended to start a long-term dynasty. Genesis 49 makes it clear that the kings of Israel would come from the tribe of Judah, not Benjamin, where Saul came from. Saul was an object lesson to Israel. A reminder of the importance of seeking God’s will rather than demanding that their will be done. A temporary punishment who helped Israel understand the difference between their ideas and God’s. Between a man with a human-centered heart and a man after God’s heart.

And yet, it took decades for all this to sort out and for King David to gain the throne of Israel. Decades! Sometimes, God will discipline His people by giving us exactly what we ask for, then require us to live with that for an extended period of time. Getting what we demand from God can be one of the hardest things to endure! So, if you find yourself distant from God in a place of unrepentant sin, be careful what you demand from God. He just might give it to you! Rather than chase the disordered desires of a sinful heart, simply #FollowJesus

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night”
– Psalm 92:1-2

The heading on this psalm says it’s for the sabbath, but there’s nothing about these verses that should be limited to just one day per week! It is good to give thanks to the Lord for every blessing, large and small, every day! It is good to sing praise to the name of the Lord every day. And throughout the day. God is worthy of it all!

Many believers set aside a “quiet time” at some point each day for prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. That’s excellent and important. However, these verses remind us of the value of “praying without ceasing” as the Apostle Paul commanded. Making time to remember and praise God throughout the day. Dwelling on and proclaiming God’s steadfast, loyal, faithful love in the mornings and His faithfulness in the evenings. Praising God for guarding your sleep and waking you up each morning and thanking Him for walking with you throughout each day.

Recognizing and celebrating the active presence of God in your life is a powerful habit. It completely changes your outlook on life to know, with every fiber of your being, that you aren’t alone as you face the challenges and hazards of each day. To remember that God was with you as you battled yesterday’s obstacles. To remind yourself that He will be with you today. And to assure yourself that He will be with you tomorrow, unless He brings you to be with Him. #FollowJesus

“I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” – Luke 18:8

Jesus’ conclusion to the parable of the persistent widow may seem a bit cryptic. In truth, His question is quite straightforward. Having taught the importance of persistence in prayer for God’s will and justice to be done, day after day, week after week, year after year, Jesus asks whether any of His followers will really persevere? With our short attention spans and hearts that are easily distracted and deceived, will there be any true, patient, prayerful, Christ-like followers of Jesus when He returns?

Jesus promised He would bring His perfect justice in His perfect timing when He returns in power and glory. That should be enough for us. The Bible is emphatic about this. Nonetheless, will followers of Jesus hold firmly to faithful prayer in the face of prolonged injustice and persecution. Will we live, love, and pray in the way of Jesus until that glorious day when He returns?

This isn’t an abstract question! In our own culture, we see many claiming to be Christians, yet arguing that the teachings of Jesus aren’t adequate. They claim that Christians need to be forceful and violent. They reject ideas like turning the other cheek, praying for enemies, and loving them as foolish, antiquated, or “woke”. Some loud voices in modern American Christianity actively advocate for anti-Christian ideas, including an impatience with prayer for God’s justice to be done and an urgency to deliver human justice now by force.

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith in earth? Real faith like He taught rather than human faith dressed up with the name of Jesus? It’s a critical question for these perilous times! #FollowJesus