David came out from where he had been hiding near the stone pile. Then David bowed three times to Jonathan with his face to the ground. Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David. – 1 Samuel 20:40-41 NLT
Sometimes the most painful circumstances can bring the most promising results.
A good example of this in the Bible is David. After hard circumstances thrust him into a tunnel of disappointment, he emerged on the other side, ready to rule a kingdom.
Yet as David crouched in a field waiting to hear King Saul’s intent toward him, he didn’t know what his future held. Questions must have filled his mind as he watched his friend Jonathan approach his hiding place. Will I be able to return to my position in the palace? Can I even return home? What about my anointing as king?
But Jonathan’s news of King Saul’s death threat dashed David’s hopes; instead of returning to the king’s table, he fled for his life and was forced into a long season of exile.
I imagine David felt helpless, confused, and angry. I have faithfully served King Saul. I’ve done nothing to deserve this! Lord, You promised to bless me. I don’t understand! Where are You?
But when we read the rest of David’s story, we see how God worked in his season of disappointment to faithfully sustain and strengthen him. We learn how God used David’s disappointment to shape him into Israel’s greatest king and a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22 NLT).
During David’s exile, he learned many lessons from God. He learned how to lean on God for strength. He learned to trust God when he didn’t understand what God was doing in his life. “God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield to all those who look to Him for protection” (Psalm 18:30 NLT). He also learned how to find joy right in the middle of his disappointed hopes. “Taste and see that the LORD is good! Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8 NLT).
Because of God’s faithfulness, David trusted God and became a legendary leader who glorified God and inspired His people.
David still inspires us today through the beautiful psalms he wrote. In fact, he penned some of our most beloved Psalms during his season of disappointment. God powerfully used David's painful circumstances to produce eternal results. If God can do all that with David’s disappointment, what can He do with yours?
