Good morning.
What is it that made David so special to the Lord? Can we have or do the same? In the next few days we are going to highlight a few of these actions of his, but not in the chronological order of his life.
When you read the next few passages, take note of David’s response to each of the situations he encountered, of his personal circumstances and of the Lord’s response.
· “When David was told, ‘Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,’ he inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’
The Lord answered him, ‘Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’” (1 Samuel 23:1-4).
David realised the people of Keilah needed help. This was the ideal opportunity for him to impress his people and he could have decided to just do it of own accord, but he realised he needed the Lord in everything. When his men were scared he felt he just had to double check with the Lord (V4), for he would not have liked to have his men’s blood on his hands if he acted on his own.
· On another occasion when David and his men got back to Ziklag they discovered it was destroyed and their families captured. “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God... David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?’
‘Pursue them,’ He answered. ‘You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue,’ (1 Samuel 30:5-8).
How would we have felt if we were in David’s position – anger and hatred because his wives were captured, fear because his men wanted to stone him or desperation? The men probably felt like that, but David had the Lord, who was his strength, to turn to. At this point he could have decided one of two things. He could have sulked, or he could have acted in revenge. But through his life he had learned it was worth relying on the Lord.
· After Saul’s death, “in the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. ‘Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?’ he asked.
The Lord said, ‘Go up.’
David asked, ‘Where shall I go?’
‘To Hebron,’ the Lord answered,” (2 Samuel 2:1).
Isn’t this the kind of decision one makes on your own? ‘What shall I do today? I think I shall do this and that.’ David was different. From a very young age he had found that the Lord had a plan with his life and he applied what his son Solomon actually wrote down many years later, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight,” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
· “Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, and He answered, ‘Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army,’” (2 Samuel 5:22-24).
The Lord told David exactly how he should go about attacking the Philistines and what the Lord’s role would be in it and David followed his instructions to the letter.
How about what the Lord tells you regarding your life?
This is why the Lord called David a man after His own heart. Whenever he needed to make a decision he always first turned to the Lord. There were times he didn’t do it for he was blinded by Satan, such as with Bathsheba, but then he repented.
How often do we consciously turn to the Lord for guidance? Do we pray about everything we have to decide about, or does our prayer life consist of a couple of formal prayers said daily? When we do hear the Lord’s answer, do we obey?
Lord, I would love to learn to acknowledge you in all my ways.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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