“Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.””
I Chronicles 14:8-10 NKJV
Inquiry
We are in a time of action, where all of humanity seems to be driving headlong into situations that lead to many conflicts, and have consequences that are far reaching. Those that rush on, find themselves having to readjust constantly, suffering heavy losses, and wasting all too much time. As I read through I Chronicles chapter fourteen, I was reminded of what should be the standard sequence for the follower of Jesus before any action is taken.
As a great type and shadow for us today, David inquired of the Lord before going into battle. He had the men, a formidable army, and he had the knowledge that the Lord was for him, but he paused and asked God, seeking wisdom on what he should do.
Those of us who are followers of Jesus, have the benefit of the completed word of God, the Bible, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the Scriptures we have example after example of the Lord’s faithfulness, and many scenarios where we can discern the will of God. As it is written in the book of Ecclesiastes:
“That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV
In the times that we are living in, it is imperative that we be like David and inquire of the Lord. Because we have the benefit of Scripture, we can have an ongoing connection to the truths of God. I have found that the more I read the Bible, the more quickly and easily its truths come to mind in situations where I am faced with a choice.
When I pray for the Lord’s help, I am very often sent to a passage in Scripture that is exactly what I needed.
Though there are many who will tell you that the word of God is no longer relevant, mostly because they don’t read it, it is still the only true standard of all life on earth. Every value espoused by man, whether they know it or not, has its foundation in the Bible. Even those things that are counter to the holiness of God, even the most wretched thought or ideas, are marked out as sin.
There is truly nothing new under the sun.
There is great desire to win in these evil days, as many seek to have some kind of supremacy in this world. The sad irony is that all are fighting for the highest spot on a sinking ship. There are no winners.
The victory comes only in Jesus. My brothers and sisters, let us be ones who inquire daily of the Lord. There are no mysteries, for He has already given us His commands regarding what we are to be doing. If we are faithful, we will have victory.
That inquiry has to be ongoing, and there is no limit to the wisdom of God. David, when pressed by a familiar foe, again went to God, and once again was victorious.
“Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.”
I Chronicles 14:13-17 NKJV
The Lord Jesus has already given us His marching orders, and has given us a plan of action. He has left us His word as our guide, and has even left a Helper to guide us. We are to go and tell, to make disciples, and win the hearts of the lost.
“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Matthew 28:16-20 NKJV
Like the disciples before us, there are some of us who have doubts, and there are some who have put aside the calling of God to chase after victory by other means, such as through political wrangling. One look at the state of the world shows the futility of these pursuits.
Dear brothers and dear sisters, inquire today of the Lord, seeking His way. The time is short and we must be about the Father’s business. In the words of the Scriptures, we have the wisdom of God, and the ability to understand and rightly divide them by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Musings from an idle mind 
That is an amazing quote Bernie, and so true, “it is still the only true standard of all life on earth. “
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