Lake Eufaula Christian Church
A delay in a road trip can be truly frustrating for the travelers, and the same is true for an individual’s spiritual journey. If you’ve had such a spiritual delay, maybe it was brought on by your own choices, but maybe it was because God intersected your road to protect you. The Bible gives an example of God’s protective delays with one of the many stories of David.
David, a shepherd and musician, defeated Goliath in battle and was anointed as a young man to be the next king. He worked for King Saul, was best friends with Prince Jonathon, and became a valiant warrior much admired by the Israelites. Unfortunately, King Saul became so jealous of David’s popularity, he wanted him killed. David literally had to run for his life.
As a fugitive he journeyed for years through the wilderness, the desert, around mountains— lacking proper nutrition, facing physical hardships, hiding in caves from spies pursuing him to return him for certain death. One would think he’d be asking, “God what are you doing? You anointed me. You chose me. Why must I be going through this right now?”
David was going through what many of us go through in a spiritually dry season. Often a spiritual high is followed by a very hard low point. David waited a long time between the anointing and the appointing. He knew, though, that God’s delays are not God’s denials, just as waiting time in your journey of faith is not wasted time.
David escaped to Adullam cave, and his “brothers and his father’s household…went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.” (1 Samuel 22:1-2). Thus, David served God right where he was.
Then David went to the king of Moab and asked, “‘Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?’ So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.” (1 Samuel 22:3, 4). David continued to seek God’s will for his life. “The prophet Gad said to David, ‘Leave the cave, and go into the land of Judah.’ So David left….” ( 1 Samuel 22: 5) He responded and acted quickly once he knew God’s desire.
We at LECC invite you to join us at 415897 Highway 9, Eufaula, where we try to follow David’s example in Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesdays all-age classes at 6: 30 p.m.
First, serve God where we are. Second, continue to seek God’s will. Third, be quick to respond to God’s word.
If you’re delayed in your spiritual journey, your time of waiting may be God’s design to stretch your faith and enhance your intimacy with God. Delay no more!
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
