Sometimes you really need answers in life. An important issue has come up and a lot is on the line, and it is essential you make the right decision. That happened to king David. He had just been anointed king of Israel. The Philistines heard about it and deployed themselves in the valley of Rephaim for an attack. So, what did David do? He inquired of the Lord. That means he earnestly and specifically sought God about the challenge he was facing. And when he did, he received the answers he needed. What issue might you might be facing? Let’s talk about inquiring of the Lord.
(2 Sam 5:19a) David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” Instead of freaking out or running to his counselors, he took his crisis situation and asked God what he should do. He didn’t have time to figure out the right course to take. He took it directly to the Lord in a rush order. And when you ask specifically like that, you’ll receive a specific answer. (2 Sam 5:19b) And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” The Lord knew Israel’s extremity and gave David the supervision he needed. God’s people had great victory that day and the enemy was defeated.
I think a good New Testament parallel to inquiring of the Lord is what Jesus said. (Mat 7:7-8) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Notice the build up of intensity, going from asking to seeking to knocking. That’s what we are constrained to do sometimes at difficult and trying times in our lives. “Lord, what should I do?” “What direction should I take?” “Show me Your will specifically because I want to do the right thing.” No doubt the answer comes in God’s timing and in His way!
But there’s a second part to the story. The Philistines attacked again! So, what did David do? He inquired of the Lord! (v. 23) He took nothing for granted. God told him what to do and it was a different strategy altogether. And it worked! The Philistines were driven back, and they left David alone.
What does this mean? It means we must inquire of the Lord as often as we need to. Let’s never assume God is going to do something the same way He did it before. We must seek the Lord each time a situation comes up and never get lazy in our prayers and seeking the Lord. I have done this as a pastor with those who wanted to host an event. I would ask them if they had sought the Lord about it. If they had, then I always would feel better about proceeding. This even came into play with annual events that you tend to assume you should repeat. But I would challenge the saints and say just because we held this event last year doesn’t mean it is God’s will that we have it this year. I just wanted the worker bees in the church to inquire of the Lord. God could say yes, or He could say no. Or perhaps there was another way to approach it. We always want God’s will and way with things, so we seek Him for fresh direction. This way we are promised His blessings and favor and He is ultimately glorified.
It's nice to get in the habit of inquiring of the Lord. You might have an idea about something. Before you tell someone what you are thinking, seek the Lord first. (Mat 6:33) And if someone presents something to you, tell them you’ll get back with them, because you need to inquire of the Lord!
Louie