“Your promise may seem delayed; But it’s not denied!” – God
1 Samuel 16:1 – … Fill your horn with oil and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a King…
2 Samuel 5:3, 4 – … And they anointed David King over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
When David was just a young boy tending his father’s sheep the Lord sent the word to him and made him a promise that he would be anointed King over all of Israel. To the average person that would be exciting and cause them to be filled with anticipation and joy (not to mention a little scary). Many years passed from the time David received this spoken promise, was anointed, and appointed by God. Throughout the passing years the palace and the promise would seem to become a faded dream. David was hunted by Saul, despised by his brothers, forced to live in a cave (hiding for his life), and had a multitude of people who were discontented, in distress and in debt, gathered to him and looking to him for answers.
During these years David hit moments in his life where he was discouraged, fighting depression, questioned God and the promise, and even entertained thoughts of giving up. Nothing about the promise of being King of Israel seemed to be coming to pass. David’s prayers didn’t seem to be getting answered. Not only did his situations seem to be getting worse, but also those of the people who were with him and looking to him for help. If anything it seemed as if the promise and the palace were becoming a distant memory or something that God had forgotten about. But oh praise God for the faith to believe in His goodness and faithfulness. In Psalm 27 David declared “Teach me Your way, O Lord and lead me in a smooth path because of my enemies.” David realized, in spite of His enemies God had a plan and a purpose, he just didn’t understand it. God will not always explain why we are going through a certain thing while we’re going through it, but if I can learn God’s way of teaching, God’s way of doing things, God’s heart, then my path will be smooth as my faith and trust grow in His faithfulness and the knowledge of His love.
David encouraged himself at his lowest moment with this declaration in the 13th verse: “I would have lost heart (given up and quit), had I not believed (in spite of the doubt and confusion that was trying to consume me), that I would see the goodness of the Lord (God’s faithfulness to me and to His word) in the land of the living (while I’m alive). While his enemies were still hot on his trail David spoke out vehemently – “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in the tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.”
My blessed brothers and sisters – continue to wait on the Lord with expectation. Stir up the praise in your heart and be of good courage. Allow the Spirit of God to strengthen your heart and faith through your praise of trust. God has not lied to you concerning His promises. DELAYED DOES NOT MEAN DENIED!