BIBLE STUDY - More Than a Virtue
Date: Mar 3, 2011
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-7, Ecclesiastes 3:1
The third chapter of Ecclesiastes starts with these familiar words: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV). Sounds great, doesn't it? But if you're like most people, you'd rather be doing something than waiting for something to happen.
Many people will tell you to take life by the horns. "Stop waiting and make something happen." It sounds like good advice, but is it really?
What Does God Say?
David was a man who faced that choice. In the Bible, we read about how David was pursued by Saul the King of Israel. One day, David and his followers hid in a cave to avoid Saul's passing army. Saul, not knowing that David was there, also went into the cave. "Now's your opportunity," David's men whispered to him. "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you'" (1 Samuel 24:4, ESV). In other words, "Kill him and take the throne!"
David could've solved two problems if he'd taken their advice. First, David could have ended Saul's murderous pursuit of him; and second, David would be free to become king as God had promised. So, David made up his mind. Creeping forward in the dark cave, David took out his sword and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
David told his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6, ESV).
David recognized that when God was ready to remove Saul from the throne and elevate David, God would do just that. We'll think about how to apply this kind of patient trust in God's plan to our lives in the next section.
My Thoughts
As you read through 1 Samuel 24:1-7, think about the following questions:
* How would David's life have changed for the better if he had killed Saul? For the worse?
* If you were in David's position, what would you have done? Why?
* Are you frustrated with where you are today? How does this passage affect your outlook?
My Part
Patience is more than a virtue; it shows our faith and trust in God. David truly believed in God's promises, and so he was willing to wait for God's timing. In our world today we have all kinds of ways of speeding through life, from speed dating to get-rich-quick schemes. But let's take a lesson from David and learn to trust in the promises and the timing of God.
NOTICE: I got permission from "Back To The Bible" to "copy & paste" their devotionals and Bible studies to the Christian groups I belong to. This Bible Study or Devotional is solely penned and/or owned by the person(s) or ministry who's website(s) is included.
