The Tabernacle of DavidSample

Desire for the Presence of God

David's anointing as king by God came with a promise, but the fulfillment of that promise required enduring trials and a lengthy wilderness season—15 years of waiting before assuming the throne. This period served as a crucible, shaping David's character and fortifying his relationship with God.

The heart of David during his wilderness experience, evading his father-in-law Saul, is vividly expressed in the Psalms. These poems reveal David's desperate longing for God and his unwavering trust in Him. Despite having only God's promise of kingship, David faced uncertainty about the future, probably wondering if Saul would succeed in killing him. There might have been moments when David longed for the simplicity of guarding his father's sheep, as he never even signed up to be the anointed king.

In Psalm 63:1, David declares, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. "David knew what it was like to be in an actual wilderness without water, and yet he equates his desire for more of God with the feelings of thirst.

Consider how differently David's life might have unfolded if he had become king immediately after his anointing, without the season of testing and wilderness. The obscurity of working for his father and the challenges of living on the run from Saul shaped David's reign. It’s not a coincidence that often, we need trials to discover our need for God. We never want them, but they are for our benefit. As Hebrews 12:10-11 notes, God's discipline, though painful, produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it.

David's integrity is exemplified in two instances where he had the opportunity to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24 and 26). Despite the urging of his men and the belief that it was God's will, David refused to harm the Lord's anointed. His trust in God's deliverance from his enemies remained steadfast.

After Saul's demise, David assumed the throne. Tomorrow's exploration will delve into how David's cultivated heart in the wilderness fueled his desire to return the Ark of the Covenant—the presence of God—to its rightful place, showcasing the profound connection he maintained with his Heavenly Father.