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By Rev Don Rivers
Timing is an interesting endeavor, some have perfect timing, while others always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While Chapel Service is just a short time in the raceday, it can be significant to your day. Taking the time to attend will make a difference. Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
From time to time, I use a message from our chaplains, something they shared at Chapel. Rev. Dan shares with us about waiting on God’s timing for our actions.
Did you know that by going to chapel service and listening to the preacher can help you win races? Got your attention, didn’t I? Well, this actually happened a few years
ago at a race track. Our scripture reading in chapel service that day was found in 1 Samuel 24:1-11.
1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, `I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, `David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, `I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.
This passage of scripture reminds us of a young man named David who was told that he would be king, but had to wait for God’s timing. The problem was the present king, Saul, wanted his son Jonathan to take over the throne when he passed away.
David was Jonathan’s best friend and Saul was mad. Saul thought that David wanted to kill him to take over the throne. His anger boiled over so much that he made it his mission to kill David. David thought it best to go away and he took some trusted friends with him and left town and lived in the wilderness. Saul gathered an army together and went to hunt David down and end his life.
David and his men saw Saul coming so they hid out in a cave. It just so happens that Saul had to take care of some business alone in that cave. David’s friends urged him – go ahead, now is your chance – kill Saul and then you will become king. David wanted to be patient and he listened to God. He wanted to be king in God’s timing, not his own.
He knew that Saul was the anointed king at that time and was willing to go the slow
steady pace instead of racing ahead of God. David respected Saul and his position. Instead of killing Saul, David cut off a piece of his robe and went back into hiding with his friends.
When Saul was finished and left the cave. Shortly after David emerged and shouted “My Lord the King!” Saul turned and David bowed before him to show respect.
Then David asked Saul; why do you listen to those who say I am going to kill you? I had the opportunity, but did not. I will not harm you because you are God’s anointed one for that time and then David held up the piece of Saul’s robe that he had cut off.
When we read on later in the chapter, we see that Saul had a change of heart and realized that David should be the next king. It is God’s timing that is the best, not our own.
You must now be asking; how does this help me win races? It does. when we relate the story to a long race. We all get excited when the green flag waves and take off as fast as we can. We end up using up our tires and brakes in the beginning because we are pushing so hard.
If you listen to some of the winners, they have a little secret. You are not going to win the race in the beginning. You have to pace yourself – save the car, be cautious to stay out of someone else’s wrecks. Hang around the top 15 or so in the early stages of the race. As the race winds down, that is when you make your move. You have more car than your competitors.
This actually happened. This particular racer was at chapel. He hung around the lead lap until about 30 to go. At that point he made his push. He had more car than his competition. He passed cars with relative ease. He took the lead with a couple of laps to go and won. I went up to him after the race and said; I didn’t know you were listening at chapel? He responded to me that “It’s starting to pay off dividends.”
The dividends this racer received from going to chapel service were a lot more than winning races. He received words from God each time he came. One of the things he learned was that we need to be patient and use God’s timing in our lives – not our own.
This is a lesson that each of us can use in our daily lives. God bless you as you wait on his timing, not ours.
Thanks Dan, the best timing belongs to God, He knows what tomorrow brings. He knows and controls things we don’t. We would be better served in life if we followed His lead and allowed his timing to direct our actions. Timing is the difference between victory and defeat.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
