“And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”” (2 Samuel 5:19, ESV)
In the scripture above, David asked for direction from the Lord. David knew the Philistine threat was a great one. Their army was strong. Their leadership was capable. Not knowing for sure if the time was right to take on such a formidable foe, David went to God in prayer. David “inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines?’” (2 Samuel 5:19a). On that day, the question of what to do about the armies of the Philistines was paramount in David’s mind. He didn’t hide from God his uneasiness and trepidation about the situation. Instead, he outright asked God for direction. God willingly supplied David with an answer. God said, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” David had his answer. He immediately gathered his army. The very next verse of the Bible mentions David’s victory.
As you read the scripture for today and my commentary, do you see how close David and God had become? David didn't hold back in his conversations with God. He was not apprehensive about asking for direction, for guidance, for strength. And the crazy thing is, David expected an answer! David listened for God’s answer to the prayer. And David received his answer. In fact, David was so sure of God’s answer that he immediately gathered his troops for battle and left to initiate the attack. There was no hesitation by David. God called the shots and David acted swiftly after receiving an answer.
The scripture for today gives a clear indication of what a close relationship with God is like. When faithful people are close to God, they make sure to ask God the most important questions. They do not hold back their worries. They are quick to seek direction and advice from on High! Then, they wait patiently for God’s answer. And when that answer comes, they do not hesitate to act upon God’s answer!
I have found that shallow Christians and the unfaithful alike do not follow David’s example when dealing with difficult situations. First, many don’t even ask God for guidance! Some are not even willing to approach God asking for direction. Then, when some do ask God for assistance, guidance, or direction, all too many will not wait and listen for God’s answer! Some don’t even expect an answer, as if God doesn’t care! David, in our scripture for today, expected God to respond to his question. David knew God’s answer would not only come shortly but would be entirely pertinent to the situation. David got his answer. As for all too many shallow believers, most do not even listen for God’s direction. Some don’t even recognize when God speaks. Thus, they bumble through life not knowing which way God is sending them or what they need to do at the present.
If you take a look at David’s prayer and God’s response, a clear order of events is displayed. When you are close to God, this same order of events will usually play out. Based on the scripture for today, the order of events goes as follows:
1)Recognize your problem.
2) Voice that problem to God openly and honestly, expecting God to answer.
3) Listen for God’s answer. Be patient for God’s response. Don’t act before God speaks!
4) Respond swiftly to God’s command or response.
5) Expect results!
Do you follow these events in your relationship with God? Which of the five parts in the order of events is your weakness? Are you slow to recognize the real problems or issues plaguing you? Do you fail to openly and honestly speak to God about your need? Do you lack the trust that God will answer? Do you act impatiently, not giving God time to respond clearly? Sometimes God will set things in motion to answer your prayer. If you jump the gun, the time may not be right. According to Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything under the sun! Consequently, you must act swiftly when the time is right. Finally, do you follow God’s leading with a healthy suspicion and a heart-full of doubts? God came through swiftly and powerfully for David. God can do the same for you IF you are willing to openly and honestly and faithfully work through issues!
After the worship service ended on Sunday morning, I went through a long greeting line. A few people wanted to thank me for the sermon that day. A few just wanted to greet me. Some wanted to inform me of upcoming events or hospitalizations or blessings. As the line petered out, I turned to go to my office to change out of my robe. On the way, I noticed a man standing outside my office door. He was waiting for me. I wondered what was wrong. I could tell he needed to talk.
The man asked to speak with me in my office for just a few moments. I gladly asked him to enter the office. As I took off my robe, I asked him what was on his heart. He responded, “Pastor, my grandfather is in the hospital. Things don’t look good. This morning, while praying, I felt God telling me that my grandfather only has a short time to live. That message from God seemed so clear it startled me.”
Turning to him, I said, “What did God want you to do?”
The man responded, “How did you know God wanted me to do something?”
Without going into detail (I had seen God do this type of thing many times before), I asked him to answer my question. He responded, “It felt as clear as day that God wanted me to go to my grandfather’s bedside and ask if there is something he needs me to do.”
Stopping what I was doing, I turned to say, “Well, there’s your answer. You better get going. Time is probably short. God needs you there right away.”
The man responded, “How can I be sure?”
I looked at him and said, “Just go. Go now. You’ll understand more later.”
He looked at me with a puzzled expression. I stated again, “Just go! Now!”
An hour later, the man was at the bedside of his grandfather. A few days later, his grandfather died. The day after the death, the man showed up at my house. When I answered the door, he held out his hand and said, “I just wanted to say thanks. I did what you said. I did what God wanted. I now know why I needed to be there. Just wanted you to know. Thanks again!” I smiled. He walked to his car and drove away. I never knew what his grandfather needed. I didn’t need to know. It was between this man and God. I am so glad that the man went swiftly to his grandfather’s bedside. I am overjoyed he followed through for God.
Since God is alive and well and powerful and watching over you, God will desire to communicate with you. God will be ready to answer your prayer swiftly. You need to come to God with your needs. You must be willing to listen for God’s answer. You ought to be ready to respond without a doubt. Don’t hesitate to seek God’s advice and direction. Then, follow through with what God tells you. If you don’t hear what God is saying, something is wrong in your relationship with God. God always will communicate with you about the important points of your life.
Is there something you need to discuss with God today? Is there an issue that weighs heavily on your mind? Go to God in prayer! Seek God’s guidance. Be ready to act upon God’s response! God has the answers you need. Do you have the initiative and faith to go get them?
As you read the scripture for today and my commentary, do you see how close David and God had become? David didn't hold back in his conversations with God. He was not apprehensive about asking for direction, for guidance, for strength. And the crazy thing is, David expected an answer! David listened for God’s answer to the prayer. And David received his answer. In fact, David was so sure of God’s answer that he immediately gathered his troops for battle and left to initiate the attack. There was no hesitation by David. God called the shots and David acted swiftly after receiving an answer.
The scripture for today gives a clear indication of what a close relationship with God is like. When faithful people are close to God, they make sure to ask God the most important questions. They do not hold back their worries. They are quick to seek direction and advice from on High! Then, they wait patiently for God’s answer. And when that answer comes, they do not hesitate to act upon God’s answer!
I have found that shallow Christians and the unfaithful alike do not follow David’s example when dealing with difficult situations. First, many don’t even ask God for guidance! Some are not even willing to approach God asking for direction. Then, when some do ask God for assistance, guidance, or direction, all too many will not wait and listen for God’s answer! Some don’t even expect an answer, as if God doesn’t care! David, in our scripture for today, expected God to respond to his question. David knew God’s answer would not only come shortly but would be entirely pertinent to the situation. David got his answer. As for all too many shallow believers, most do not even listen for God’s direction. Some don’t even recognize when God speaks. Thus, they bumble through life not knowing which way God is sending them or what they need to do at the present.
If you take a look at David’s prayer and God’s response, a clear order of events is displayed. When you are close to God, this same order of events will usually play out. Based on the scripture for today, the order of events goes as follows:
1)Recognize your problem.
2) Voice that problem to God openly and honestly, expecting God to answer.
3) Listen for God’s answer. Be patient for God’s response. Don’t act before God speaks!
4) Respond swiftly to God’s command or response.
5) Expect results!
Do you follow these events in your relationship with God? Which of the five parts in the order of events is your weakness? Are you slow to recognize the real problems or issues plaguing you? Do you fail to openly and honestly speak to God about your need? Do you lack the trust that God will answer? Do you act impatiently, not giving God time to respond clearly? Sometimes God will set things in motion to answer your prayer. If you jump the gun, the time may not be right. According to Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything under the sun! Consequently, you must act swiftly when the time is right. Finally, do you follow God’s leading with a healthy suspicion and a heart-full of doubts? God came through swiftly and powerfully for David. God can do the same for you IF you are willing to openly and honestly and faithfully work through issues!
After the worship service ended on Sunday morning, I went through a long greeting line. A few people wanted to thank me for the sermon that day. A few just wanted to greet me. Some wanted to inform me of upcoming events or hospitalizations or blessings. As the line petered out, I turned to go to my office to change out of my robe. On the way, I noticed a man standing outside my office door. He was waiting for me. I wondered what was wrong. I could tell he needed to talk.
The man asked to speak with me in my office for just a few moments. I gladly asked him to enter the office. As I took off my robe, I asked him what was on his heart. He responded, “Pastor, my grandfather is in the hospital. Things don’t look good. This morning, while praying, I felt God telling me that my grandfather only has a short time to live. That message from God seemed so clear it startled me.”
Turning to him, I said, “What did God want you to do?”
The man responded, “How did you know God wanted me to do something?”
Without going into detail (I had seen God do this type of thing many times before), I asked him to answer my question. He responded, “It felt as clear as day that God wanted me to go to my grandfather’s bedside and ask if there is something he needs me to do.”
Stopping what I was doing, I turned to say, “Well, there’s your answer. You better get going. Time is probably short. God needs you there right away.”
The man responded, “How can I be sure?”
I looked at him and said, “Just go. Go now. You’ll understand more later.”
He looked at me with a puzzled expression. I stated again, “Just go! Now!”
An hour later, the man was at the bedside of his grandfather. A few days later, his grandfather died. The day after the death, the man showed up at my house. When I answered the door, he held out his hand and said, “I just wanted to say thanks. I did what you said. I did what God wanted. I now know why I needed to be there. Just wanted you to know. Thanks again!” I smiled. He walked to his car and drove away. I never knew what his grandfather needed. I didn’t need to know. It was between this man and God. I am so glad that the man went swiftly to his grandfather’s bedside. I am overjoyed he followed through for God.
Since God is alive and well and powerful and watching over you, God will desire to communicate with you. God will be ready to answer your prayer swiftly. You need to come to God with your needs. You must be willing to listen for God’s answer. You ought to be ready to respond without a doubt. Don’t hesitate to seek God’s advice and direction. Then, follow through with what God tells you. If you don’t hear what God is saying, something is wrong in your relationship with God. God always will communicate with you about the important points of your life.
Is there something you need to discuss with God today? Is there an issue that weighs heavily on your mind? Go to God in prayer! Seek God’s guidance. Be ready to act upon God’s response! God has the answers you need. Do you have the initiative and faith to go get them?