“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him”. 1 Samuel 30:6

The men that followed David were the lowest of the low, probably men who had been rejected in other circles of life. The one man who led them and made warriors of them, created wealth for them and gave them purpose, was the one they now wanted to kill. The situation they found themselves in was: while David and his men were gone, the Amalekites raided their town, burned it to the ground and carried off their women, children and everyone else.

David’s men did not realize that he too, lost his wives. Did they not understand they too had a price on their head just as David did? And now they want to kill the one who was caring for, providing for and hiding them.

These men though did not react much differently than people do today. If we find our self in a bad situation or are thrust into the middle of a hard circumstance, right away we want to make a rash decision. Oh, the decision doesn’t make much sense, but then we are not looking for a sensible decision. We are just wanting to do something; to blame someone. Some even go as far as blaming God for where they are in their life.

David quickly got his wits about himself and inquired of the Lord. And of course God gave him the answer. We often pull up to God’s drive through window service. We tell God what is bothering us almost the same way we would order a hamburger. Then we drive around the building expecting to get a quick answer, as if we are picking up our order and carrying it on our way.

Fortunately God doesn’t work that way. He wants to sit with us. He tells his disciples “Come and dine.” In Revelation he says, open the door and let me in so we can eat together. He wants to spend time with us. There are no drive-thru answers with the Lord.

Lord, help us to keep our wits about us and to be patient as we wait for your answer to our situation.

The “3 Minutes Alone with God” devotional Books by Robin McKinley are available on Amazon