Here are three lessons from David’s life: 1) God makes the choice. When Samuel the prophet came to David’s house to pick Israel’s next king, David wasn’t even up for consideration. But God chose him anyway – just like He chose Deborah to lead the nation in a male-dominated society. If you spend your life trying to figure God out, you could well miss out on what He has for you. We’d probably have rejected many of the people God used (which shows how little we know… 2) God designs the plan. ‘Being confident of this…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it’ (Philippians 1:6 NKJV). It’s God who designs and performs the plan. So you can put your confidence in Him.  His plan for David involved years of ducking Saul’s spears, living in caves as a fugitive, and working with six hundred misfits who redefine the word ‘dysfunctional’. God trains you through difficulties so you can handle the assignment He has for you. 3) God sets the schedule. ‘Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’ Patience means standing firm under pressure. The prize belongs to the one who’s in it for the long haul. David was anointed king in his teens, but he didn’t take the throne until he was thirty. So be patient. God’s prepping you so you’ll be ready when your time comes. Waiting is hard. But if you run before the starter fires the gun, you’ll botch the race. Just keep your eyes on the prize and don’t give up.

What now?

Find an older Christian and ask them how they stayed patient in times of waiting. Put their advice into practice in your life.