Cutting Corners

I worked for a company that was big on promoting from within. At one point everyone, including the CEO, had started on the bottom level and had worked their way up. I loved that about that company. What happened over time was that some people would get promotion after promotion whether they were ready for the next level or not. If you got promoted beyond your abilities, or if you cut corners, you didn’t just go back one level to where you were last successful. You would get sent back several levels (if you were able to keep your job) and have to work back up. However, that rarely happened because that person then had the stigma that they couldn’t cut it at upper levels. Instead of giving them more training or more time to develop, it became a life sentence.

Instead 1 Samuel 24, David was on the run from Saul. As it happened David and his men were hiding in a cave when Saul came in to use the restroom. David’s men told him that God had delivered Saul and the promised kingdom to him on a platter. David cut the corner off of Saul’s robe to show he could have.immediately he felt remorse. In verse 6 he said, “May the Lord keep me from doing any harm to my master, whom the Lord chose as king! I must not harm him in the least, because he is the king chosen by the Lord!” (GNT) David would not take by force what God had not yet given. He understood that God’s promises must be fulfilled in God’s timing.

Psalm 138:8 says, “You will do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal. Complete the work that you have begun.” God always keeps His Word. You may think you’re ready for that next level or that next step, but wait on God’s timing. God knows when your character and development is ready for the weight of what’s next. He won’t promote you before it’s time. He is working behind the scenes preparing the right time, place and people to complete what He began. David didn’t listen to the people around him about his readiness. Instead He trusted God’s timing. Him cutting Saul’s robe is our reminder not to cut corners in God’s process.

Photo by Photos of Korea on Unsplash