(Read 2 Samuel 2:4-10)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” In our last message we saw how David was appointed king over the tribe of Judah after Saul’s death. The appointment came by grace. David was led of God to Hebron and as soon as David arrived the men of Judah took it upon themselves to anoint him king over the tribe. David was finally a king. However, there were still 11 other tribes in Israel that David was not king over. With Sual dead, and with him being a newly anointed and appointed king over Judah, David was ready to take his rightful place as king over the entire nation. When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, he sent them this message: “May the LORD bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. May the LORD be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.” David was being regal, stately and political. After all the fighting he had endured, he expected to have the remaining thrones basically given to him. However, as is often the case, it would not be that easy.
General Abner did not die in the war with Amalek and he was still loyal to Saul. Abner knew that one of Saul’s sons, Ishbosheth, was still alive. So the General took Ishbosheth to Mahanaim. There Abner took it upon himself to proclaim Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel. Ishbosheth was 40 years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim. This left the nation divided as David was king over Judah, his home tribe. David made Hebron his capital and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years. It was not what David wanted, but it was what happened. David would eventually become king over the entire nation, it just would not happen as fast as David wanted.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. It’s not always going to be easy. This series is about grace and how God blesses us because of His goodness and not because we necessarily deserve it or earn it. But even grace does not guarantee us a perpetual picnic. God’s grace on your life does not mean that you will not face anything difficult. All it means is that when the challenges come you can face them with the confidence of knowing that God has already graced (empowered) you to overcome them.
2. Your clock of expectation is not always set to God’s time for manifestation. I wish our clock was always set to God’s time, but for most of us that is not the case. Once Saul was dead and he had been appointed the king of Judah so easily, David thought the rest of the tribes would simply be given over to him, but he learned that it would not be that easy. David had to do more of what he had already been doing; he had to WAIT! WAIT is a four-letter word for most of us, but it is something we must do, because God’s best will not manifest before it’s time. The right thing at the wrong time becomes the wrong thing.
3. Delay does not mean denial. David was delayed again, but he would not be denied. Guess what? The same can be said for you. Whatever God has shown you about your future, whatever He has revealed to you about your purpose, and whatever He has spoken to you about your assignment, will all come to pass. It may not happen when you want it to happen, or when you think it should happen, but if God spoke it, it shall come to pass. Keep it before you and never lose the expectation of manifestation, because sooner or later, in God’s timing, you will see (in your hands) what you have already received (in your heart).
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your overwhelming, amazing, and immeasurable grace. Your grace is in operation in my life and I acknowledge it every day. Your grace is continually flowing to me, opening doors for me that I could have never opened for myself. You bless me in ways I do not deserve and could never earn. I shudder to think what my life would be like if You ONLY gave me what I deserved. Thank You Father for being so good to me and for showering me with Your grace. Furthermore, Your grace does not only flow to me in the form of underserved blessings, but Your grace also comes to empower me to overcome every challenge I face along the way. I know my life is not always going to be easy. I know I will face challenges and obstacles, but I also know that Your grace is on me to overcome every one. No matter how hard it gets, I know I am graced to face whatever comes my way. You have shown things to me about my future and I am convinced that they shall come to pass. I have received them in my heart and I shall see them in my hands. They may not come when I want them to, but they shall come. As a matter of fact, as far as You are concerned, they have already happened. In heaven it’s already done. In the earth, it just has not manifested itself yet. So Father, I declare, by faith, that I am able to hear from You and discern Your timing. I want to align my clock of expectation with Your time for manifestation. The closer I synchronize the two, the more I will be in line with the timing of Your best in my life. I don’t live by what I see with my natural eyes. Father, I live by faith, seeing with my spiritual eyes, and living from the inside out. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
