Read: 1 Samuel 21-25
I know that we are all in different life stages, carrying different things, and walking through our own versions of “hard.” We see life through different lenses and our days don’t all look the same. But as I write this, I think of you.
I think of women like my friend, longing for a baby and praying for the day she gets to be called mama. I think of my other friend, stepping into a relationship that’s moving toward marriage, with so much new ahead. I think of my coworkers and friends entering into motherhood for the first time. I think of the women in the thick of motherhood, like me, with little ones needing everything all at once. I think of my eldest sister-in-law, raising kids who somehow keep growing faster than we’re ready for. I think of my mom and my grandma, who have walked seasons that I have yet to step in to. So many of us, all living different stories, yet all held by the same God.
Today felt like a mix of highs and lows in motherhood. My eight-month-old, which I still can’t believe she’s that old, is teething and so very clingy. If she can’t see me, it’s instant tears. My three-year-old is wanting more of my attention, a little jealous, but also so fiercely independent. And sleep? Haha! Not really happening. Last night looked like one little “boob barnacle” nursing all night long while the other somehow ended up sprawled across me sideways. It’s exhausting. And yet, I love them so deeply.
I’ve been trying to give them grace. They’re tired, they’re growing, they’re hungry, they’re learning. I remind myself of that as I take deep breaths and try to stay calm. All when it feels like I’m barely holding it together while my husband is at the fire station and I’m on my own. It’s not new, but it still stretches me. But that’s where this reading meets me. That’s where God meets me.
David is in a season of running, hiding, surviving. He was anointed, chosen by God, yet his life didn’t suddenly become easy. He faced fear, betrayal, and uncertainty.
“And David took these words to heart and was much afraid …” -1 Samuel 21:12
In 1 Samuel 21–25, we see him navigating danger, loneliness, and pressure. And yet, in the middle of it all, he writes:
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” -Psalm 34:8
David knew what it was to be surrounded by chaos and still choose to trust God’s goodness. He was hiding in caves, and yet people began to gather around him. The broken, the outcasts, the ones who didn’t have it all together. Almost sounds like the perfect mom group forming. God still used that place, that season, to build something meaningful.
“All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander.” -1 Samuel 22:2
Then an important moment; David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life. The man who was chasing him, threatening him, making his life miserable. If anyone had a reason to justify revenge, it was David. But he chose mercy. Mercy! He spared Saul. Not because Saul deserved it, but because David feared God more than he trusted his own feelings.
“The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him.” -1 Samuel 24:6
Saul even recognizes it:
“You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” -1 Samuel 24:17
David chose peace over vengeance. He trusted God to handle what was not his to carry.
Isn’t that what God does for us? He shows us mercy we don’t deserve. He withholds what we have earned and gives us grace instead.
No matter what season you’re in today, whether you’re waiting, beginning, overwhelmed, growing, grieving, or just trying to get through the day, God sees you.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18
There is more to this life than what we see right now. More than the hard moments, more than the stretching seasons. He is forming something in us, even here. And maybe today, it looks like choosing grace. Maybe it looks like taking a deep breath instead of reacting. Maybe it looks like trusting God when it doesn’t feel easy. Once you’ve tasted His goodness, the ordinary just doesn’t satisfy anymore.
Discussion Questions
- How can you remind your heart of God’s goodness in the middle of your current “hard”?
- What season are you in right now, and where, or how, do you see God meeting you in it?
- Is there an area where you feel justified in holding onto frustration, anger, control, etcetera? What would it look like to choose mercy and grace instead
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A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me, what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture, and what the Holy Spirit is sharing through me. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from Pinterest
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