***Listen To Audio Version: In the Waiting Audio 612
Today’s Devotional Scripture: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
- Psalm 27:13-14 KJV
The Message For Today (August 12, 2026):
***Listen To Audio Version: In the Waiting Audio 612
Most of us are familiar with the story of King David slaying Goliath as a young shepherd. Though biblical scholars disagree on the details, there were at least 10 years (and likely closer to 20) from the time Samuel anointed him and the moment he was crowned King of Judah, and another seven years before he was crowned King over all Israel.
But before Samuel poured the first drop of anointing oil onto David’s head, he was faithful in silence, when nobody was watching. He first fought a lion and a bear, though many disbelieved him. We see that even before the calling and the waiting, his character was being built in private. He was in the training ground.
During those transitional years, he went from being an outcast and a nobody to killing a giant and winning the favor of his people and Saul’s court. He went from being a lonely shepherd boy to marrying the King’s daughter and forging a deep friendship with Jonathan. Later, out of jealousy, he became a fugitive, hiding in caves and the wilderness from Saul’s infamous spear.
Most of us are not facing physical weapons against our calling or our lives, but at times the opposition seems unfair or even brings us to the edge of emotional burnout. There are things we lose along the way and people who may betray us despite the love we show them.
David served faithfully, playing his harp to soothe the torment caused by Saul’s own pride. All this, despite knowing he was to be King, and still choosing to humble himself and serve. Later, David was hunted with spears but never chose to return the violence with violence and kill the one who was anointed before him.
It was only after Saul and his dear friend Jonathan died in battle that he was crowned King of Judah at age 30. And later, when Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, was killed, David was crowned King of all Israel at age 37 (2 Samuel 5-8 KJV).
Often, as we wait on the Lord in our callings, He is healing our hearts, and we are asked to duck the spears of betrayal without picking them up and aiming them at the ones who hurt us.
The Preparation
We see that during this time between anointing in obscurity and reigning over all of Israel, there were trials, tribulations, and joy. All of this worked together to prepare him for God’s promise. God had to cultivate his inner capacity to carry the weight of his calling.
We see this in our own lives, and many times we find ourselves asking, “Why the wait? Why so long, God?”
He loves us enough to see ahead, to where we cannot. He grows us in strength, courage, capacity, wisdom, grace, and all the fruit of the Spirit. He grows us in relationship with Him, and as we run our race with perseverance, we demonstrate our reliance on Him despite what we see around us. We are refined, pruned, purified, tested… and so very loved in the process.
During David’s time in the wilderness, he poured out his heart to God, writing some of the most beautiful and timeless scripture in the Psalms as he processed his grief, fear, and betrayal. He let it pour out, and then praised God for always being the answer. He didn’t choose avoidance, and he didn’t pretend he wasn’t in pain.
“ 1. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? For ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?...5. But I have trusted in thy mercy; My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13: verse 1 and 5 KJV)
He was going through the much-needed inner work of processing his raw emotions with God, rather than becoming bitter at God about His timing. This type of emotional transparency is why David was a man after God’s own heart.
Surrender the Timeline
David had at least two opportunities to take the throne by force by killing Saul, but instead he chose to allow God to elevate him into his anointed position at the proper time, God’s time.
Imagine what might have happened if he had taken matters into his own hands?
Would he have been truly ready?
How would God have viewed this?
There is always a danger to taking shortcuts and taking things into our own hands. Most of us have learned the hard way. We should never try to force a door open before God opens it. This causes us to carry a weight we were never meant to carry; a burden meant to be light because when we walk it out with God, in His timing, we are sustained by His grace.
Reflection and Action
Is there an area of your life where you feel divinely called to do something, yet feel it is delayed?
What inner heart and mind work might God be quietly doing in you right now to prepare you for what lies ahead?
How can you shift your focus today from waiting for the promise to who you are becoming in the process?
Closing Devotional Prayer:
My prayer for you:
Heavenly Father, we praise you! You know exactly the right time for every good thing you have called us to. We know your ways are higher than ours, and we thank you for the protections you have placed around us as we wait on you. We thank you for making sure we are ready for the weight of our calling, for you promise us that your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
Please forgive us for our impatience or desire to push past your pace, and heal the parts of us that are anxious or disappointed in the process. We trust that your timing is perfect and we trust in your preparation over our own performance. In the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
Written by our Monday writer Jennifer Rene
