What can we learn about patience from David's watchman in 2 Samuel 18:24? Setting the moment “Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.” 2 Samuel 18:24 Why patience stands out in the watchman • Steady vigilance – He climbs, fixes his gaze, and keeps watching even when nothing seems to be happening. • Confidence in the message – He trusts that a runner will appear at the right time; impatience would have pulled him from his post. • Discernment born of waiting – Because he lingers, he can tell one runner from another (vv. 26–27), a skill refined only through patient observation. • Service before self – His patience is not passive; it serves David and the kingdom by ensuring accurate, timely information. Echoes across Scripture • Psalm 130:5 – “I wait for the LORD; my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” • Isaiah 40:31 – “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles…” • James 5:7 – “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits…” • Luke 12:37 – “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds watching when he returns.” Living this out today • Hold your post – Stay faithful in the assignment God has given, even when visible results lag behind. • Look long and hard – Cultivate spiritual discernment by searching Scripture and watching for God’s movement. • Trust God’s timing – The runner appeared at the precise moment; likewise God’s answers arrive on schedule. • Serve others with your patience – Your steady faith can bring clarity, peace, and direction to those who look to you for counsel. Closing reflection The watchman’s quiet, deliberate waiting illustrates patience rooted in trust. He reminds us that godly patience is active faithfulness—eyes fixed on the horizon, heart anchored in the certainty that God’s word will prove true and His purposes will unfold at just the right moment. |
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