June 6

Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ — 1 Sam 24:10 BSB

David seemed to have a quick, easy way to the throne, but he wouldn’t dare take it. The throne belonged to Saul—he was the Lord’s anointed. David refused to lift a finger to speed up God’s plan or take the kingdom before God gave it to him. There are often things God intends to give us, but we must wait to receive them in His way. Taking shortcuts in life’s paths often leads to mistakes and regrets. Jacob’s mother knew that Jacob was destined to receive the blessing of the firstborn, but had she waited, it would have come to him without being tainted by deception.

Young men are often ambitious, and ambition can be good, but many are so eager to reach their goals that they take shortcuts, even dishonest ones, to get there sooner. It never pays off in the end.

David could have been on the throne the next day, but it would have left stains of guilt on his ascent. It was far better for him to wander a little longer in exile and then reach the throne by a clean, honorable path. It’s inspiring to see young men succeed, but we must always ask how they’ve succeeded, to know if their rise is truly honorable. The only path to real success is God’s way, and we must learn to wait on Him.