As David runs for his life from King Saul, he realizes his problem isn’t about “the problem,” but about trusting God. David has lots of reasons to be resentful and angry. God has anointed him as the next king, yet seems to have abandoned him to the erratic behavior of Saul who suffers from his own bad decisions and intense jealousy. This is a long-term problem that goes on for years.
Instead of abandoning his faith, David frames his stress in the character of God, whom he knows to be faithful. When guarding his father’s sheep, it was God who delivered David from lions and bears (1 Samuel 17.37). He knows it was God working through him to conquer Goliath in battle (1 Samuel 17.46-47). David knows God delivers, and it’s through that lens he chooses to remain steadfast in his faith.
Even when given the chance to end his stress and kill Saul, David tells him, “…Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed’” (1 Samuel 24.10). David makes the choice to trust in God, and not himself, to remove Saul.
Today as you lift your heart to God, remember he is the one who frames your problems. Memorize Psalm 57.2 (NASB), “I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me” as a reminder to make the choice to trust him and remain steadfast.
