The Journey Readings: Week 61... and... a long row to hoe...

I wonder... if David had any idea what was in store for him... when Samuel anointed him to be the next king... would he have come in from the fields...? might he have chosen... to stay with the sheep...?

This past week... our readings began with King Saul giving the order to kill David... who had been nothing but faithful...

Jonathan... Saul's son and David's dear friend... intervened and things went on as usual for a time...

But Saul... he was not willing to come under God's plan... God's authority... when it came to the throne of Israel...

David's next bout of success on the battlefield... sent Saul into a jealous... murderous... rage...

David ran... seeking help from priests... Philistines... Moabites...

And anyone who helped him... risked their lives...

Who gathered to his side...? ...everyone in distress or in debt or discontented...

He was commander of a ragtag bunch... constantly on the run...

Fleeing to stronghold... after... stronghold...
woods... caves... mountains... wilderness...
running for his life...
all because... of God's anointing...

David had a long row to hoe... to get to the throne... to see the fulfillment of God's anointing... the divine call on his life... his purpose...

David remained in the wilderness strongholds in the hill country

of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day,

but God did not give him into his hands.

1 Samuel 23:14 Amp

And I think about the call He's placed on my life...
or what I thought I heard... and pursued...
but really... so far... it's seemed like fruitless work...

I see loved ones struggle... even though I believe... He has so much more for them...

The wait seems long... the dirt barren...

But in David... I see hope...

I see God's plan... for calling... anointing... preparing...
and so often... it's a long... row... to... hoe...

So I'll continue... to hoe... in my life...
in the lives of loved ones...
and trust... that what He began...
will come to fruition...
as long... as I keep... moving forward...

And let us not grow weary of doing good,

for in due season we will reap,

if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

Join The Journey... see how God works... and maybe you'll find encouragement too...

This week's readings...
Monday                     1 Samuel 26-27
Tuesday                     1 Samuel 28-29
Wednesday                1 Samuel 30-31
Thursday                   2 Samuel 1:1 - 2:11
Friday                        2 Samuel 2:12 - 3:25