From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?" (NIV)

As someone who loves to have a plan, know the plan, and live by the plan, David's posture in this verse truly wows me. This week we're going to be digging into a season of David's life that, were I in his shoes, I would not love. These years for David are characterized by waiting, fear, and uncertainty as he waits for God to place him on the throne of Israel, all while being hunted by the current king, Saul.  

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And yet, what we see from David time and again is a heart that truly trusts God's timing and provision. Today's passage is one of many such moments when David's words and actions reveal his trusting heart posture toward God. David is on the run from Saul and hiding out in a cave. His family hears about it and comes to be with him there, as well as many downtrodden and desperate people who want to rally to David's cause (1 Sam. 22:2). As you read these chapters, it truly is wild how God brings people around David to care for, love, and support him in this challenging time.  

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And while I think I would be tempted to stay hidden and afraid, David is making moves to protect and lead these people well. In today's verse, we see him go to the king of Moab and ask for safe harbor for his parents, who certainly would have been in nearly as much danger from Saul's regime as David was. Perhaps David brought up the fact that his great grandmother, Ruth, was a Moabite, to secure their safety (Ruth 1:4).  

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What David says in passing to the king of Moab, though, is what challenges me most. He says, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?"

Until I learn what God will do for me. Three key parts of this phrase challenged me this morning:

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First, David says until. As in, there will be a point when this happens, and right now I am patiently waiting for that moment to come. David doesn't rage against the wait. He acknowledges it, but also seems to be at least somewhat okay with it. Do we view the wait in this same way?  

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Then, Until I learn or know, some translations say. But I love the NIV's learn. Like a patient teacher, David trusts that God will reveal what he needs to know at the best time for him to discern it. Friend, when questions arise in your heart, do you think of God as holding out on you, or do you think of him as a patient and purposeful teacher who knows the best time to reveal new elements of a learning plan? Isaiah 6:9 calls the Lord our Wonderful Counselor. Is that how you see God in times of uncertainty?

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And finally, David reveals the confidence he has in God's provision and care when he says what God will do for me. God will do something, he says. For David, it wasn't a question of whether or not God was providing, it was merely a question of logistics. Incredibly, so many of David's actions during this season of his life aren't birthed out of striving to take care of himself, but out of a desire to make room for God to provide as he saw fit. What faith!  

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Do you believe the same of your Father God today? Do you believe that God is for you? That he does have a plan? That he is providing for you, even when you can't see it yet?

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As we end our time together this morning, I encourage you to spend a moment asking God to reveal to you his true nature. David knew it. He was confident in God's care and provision over his life and future, so much so, that even passing statements like the one in today's verse revealed his faith in the Father. May the same be true of us, as well.

Father God, thank you that you are trustworthy and that you are good at directing my steps. Help me to not only know that in my head today, but believe it in my heart, too. In Jesus' name, Amen.