I Samuel 18:8,9
‘Then Saul became very angry, for this lyric displeased him; and he said, “They have given David credit for ten thousands, but to me they have given credit for only thousands! Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David with suspicion from that day on.’
I'm curious how David felt when he heard the people putting him over Saul. I would have cringed and been mad for their words. Looking at this I would say it was God making Saul uncomfortable. Yes, God loved him, but was done with him as king. If he would have submitted himself to the Lord, it would have been different.
I want to focus on trusting God's sovereignty. This verse makes me anxious. I would have blamed the people for wrecking it. It was totally out of David's control. But God wasn't out of control. He orchestrated this whole season for David; the huge success with Goliath, why not this chant of the people.
Some may think this was the devil seeking to divide at such a time of unity. That may be so, but God allowed and used it. There was more preparation to be done in David. For a time, he could have bitterly looked back at the simple people and their insensitive chant. "Of course it would make the king angry. Why would they say that?"
We have to trust God for the things we don't have control of. That includes much. Many things are precariously balanced that could be easily given the wrong push. We could spend a lifetime worrying about them. But that's not faith. 2 Timothy 1:12b says, "I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day." We can trust all of those things in God's hands.
He wants us to have peace. The peace in our hearts is a good reading of our trust in Him. No peace, little trust, much peace, more trust. We will always have difficulties, He wants us to always trust. We will be tested. We are to go to Him and trust every step of the way. We will get rattled on occasion, but He settles us down and it's now the new normal.
Tough times can come at unexpected times and ways. I Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you". We are surprised, the heart rate increases, then we go to God and He gives us His peace. God has endless tools He can use at a moments notice. He does much interrupting to rescue us. Other times He wants to teach us. God had much to teach David. He wasn't ready for the throne. He was about to enter another learning season. Some think David was displaced for about 8 years. Part of that time he was a fugitive on the run. All this was to prepare him for serving as king. The disruption began with today's verse.
We need not be surprised or startled by disruptions in our lives. He is the lord of them and will lovingly act as gatekeeper of what enters. He makes beautiful things of them.
Thank You, God, for all You do for us. Help us to trust You in all that happens. Thank You for the custom work You do. Thank You for the expertise You employ to help us. Thank You for the beautiful things that are done.