Over the past few years, I have been struggling with some extra challenges at work. Our VP/CFO was forced to retire early before she could grant the promotion for which she had been cultivating me. Her position was split into three positions, and a new senior leadership team was implemented. None of these individuals were aware of my twenty-one years of service, which included me progressively taking on more leadership within a specific area. When I thought God was going to reward my faithfulness, it seemed as though I had been pushed to the back seat. Even my twenty-fourth anniversary with the company was overlooked because our entire team was sent home during COVID-19.
Prior to this new setback, I had a conversation with our VP about my future direction and his goals for me in the company. He could not make any promises, but he did tell me that a couple of senior leaders would be retiring within the next three to five years. I reminded him that I could be patient, as demonstrated by my history with the company; at the same time, I needed to know that the company truly had my best interest in mind. While this discussion garnered hope, I was still struggling with the disappointment of feeling as though I was losing ground with my goals.
As I read about David in my Bible this morning, something struck me right between the eyes—not unlike David’s stone striking Goliath! King Saul had forfeited his right to lead, yet he was still in the position. After David was anointed as king in I Samuel 16:13, we find in verse 19 that David was tending the sheep again. David was promised a position of leadership, but someone held him back! Saul was holding that position! In the description of David in verse 18, we get a glimpse that David continued to lead and grow steadily while doing what was before him: Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him. David was then called to play the harp for Saul to soothe the evil spirit Saul battled. The Bible does not tell us how long David filled this role, but he was so close to Saul that Saul was sending word to Jesse that he wanted David to stay as his armourbearer by verse 21.
Despite David’s rise in position, by I Samuel 17:55, after David had slain Goliath, Saul enquired, …Abner, whose son is this youth?… David had been forgotten! He continued plugging along, doing what he always did, until God called him to do the next thing. I love what David told Goliath in I Samuel 17: 47. He said, And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.
Wow! What a reminder for me! If King David could keep doing right while waiting for God’s timing, then so can I! The battle is the Lord’s and not mine. I may be overlooked and forgotten, but in God’s time, I will get the position that He has for me. I just need to keep doing right.
Friends, if you are like me and feel that you have been mistreated, join me in taking a lesson from David. Just keep doing what you know to do, growing along the way, and let God fight the battle for you! With Him fighting for us, we will certainly win!
by Melissa Caperton
