Inquired: July 3, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 3, 2012.

INQUIRED

DEFINITION:

A searching for direction or knowledge; ask about or investigate.

SCRIPTURE:

And David inquired of the Lord, and He answered. II Samuel 5:23.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

When David made this inquiry of the Lord for advice, he had already achieved great victories. He had killed the giant Goliath with a sling shot and a stone. He had defeated the Amalekites and the great hosts of Philistines. The people were singing praises to David for his great victories. But David continually gave God the credit saying this all happened because God led David and went ahead of him to protect him. David knew these were all the Lord’s victories.

The Philistines now came the second time and David would not go out to fight without inquiring to the Lord first (verse above). Once David had been so victorious in his battles one would think that he would just go out and fight feeling confident that he would be victorious once again. David would not venture out based on past victories but wanted to ask the Lord first for the same assurance that the Lord had given him before.

He asked very simply, “Shall I go up against them again?” He then waited until God gave him an answer. He did not move ahead of God. David did as the Lord commanded him (verse 25). We need to learn from this. David asked, listened, and obeyed. As we walk down our path of life, we need to allow God to be our compass.

God promises us that He will instruct us and teach us in the ways we should go. The words of a Puritan some years ago were, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he will cut his own fingers.” Another Puritan said, “He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand.” When we trust in ourselves alone we are sure to fail.

As believers in God we need to learn to inquire of Him in all we do. It is so easy for us to rely on our own strength feeling we are invincible. The times of failure will come your way often unless you make it a practice to begin each day inquiring of God. Our confidence must be in the Lord, not in ourselves. Every believer needs to ask God daily to give him wisdom, to give him direction and to open and close doors according to His will for his life. Ask God daily what you should do, how you should do it and then march out every day to face your battles as David did. Walk with confidence that God is with you and leading you.

We learn from David to acknowledge that God is the one who gives us victory. David said in Psalm 60:12, “With God we will gain victory.” When you have victory remember that it is God who made you victorious and give God the glory. 

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the example You have given us in Your Word from the life of David. Keep me faithful to inquire of You for wisdom and direction in the battles of life’s daily problems. Help me to listen and obey and then to move forward with confidence when I know that I have received proper direction from You.