The Lord God had anointed David to be the next king of Israel when he was but an unrecognized lad. (1 Samuel 16:13) The fulfillment of the promise began looking possible when he was moved from being the family shepherd boy to the court musician and armor-bearer in the household of King Saul. (1 Samuel 16:21-23)
When the Spirit enabled David to kill the giant Goliath the promise of being the next king seemed possible until Saul became jealous of David’s growing popularity. Saul tried to kill David many times. (1 Samuel 18:8-11; 19:11, 18) David fled and was pursued for many years. He lived in lonely deserts and slept in caves. Through all the cold nights and hot days, David never lost his faith in the Lord God who promised that he would become king.
These verses relive David’s alienated life. They tell of the Lord’s eventual rescue from King Saul’s hate. He reached down from on high and took hold of David. He drew him out of deep waters. The Lord God rescued him from his powerful enemy, a foe who was too strong for him. Even after Saul’s death, Saul’s supporters fought with the forces of David for many years. They confronted him in the day of his disaster. Through all his troubles the Lord God was David’s support.
The Lord God has made several promises to me many years ago. Like David, I have been pursued by people who hate me. The enemy Satan has many who blindly follow his evil ways. I am inspired by men like David to have faith in God for many years though the promise seems far off. The Lord God is my support. I have not lost faith like many. Jesus will bring me to a spacious place where I am free to roam unconfined by the threats and dangers that had hem me in. Do not lose faith. Jesus’ promise is true.
