Decisions

2 Samuel 5:19 NASB
(19) Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, "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 5:23-24 NASB
(23) When David inquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
(24) "It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then the LORD will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines."

David sought the Lord for each of these decisions. He had recently been crowned king over the entire nation of Israel, and had made his home in Jerusalem. Yet, on two different occasions, the Philistines came out against Him. As a king, you would think he possessed the wisdom and know how to confront his enemies with success. Yet, we find him seeking the Lord on both occasions. The first time, God told him to go out against them directly, the second time, under the same exact circumstances, to go about it a different way. The result was that both times he experienced the Lord’s help and provision.

In our own lives, often we think we are wise and experienced enough to make decisions on our own. However, I think this episode in the life of David should remind us to seek the Lord in every decision we make. Whether they be about our own personal lives, the lives of our families, our churches, our businesses of vocations. God is interested and at work in every area of our lives. If we will seek His counsel and heed it, we will be the recipient of His direction, provision, and power.

Time Alone with God

For almost all my christian life I have known the importance of getting alone with God. We all have. So why do we find it so difficult to make this a priority in our lives? Why is it that even as a pastor, I often struggle to make this a priority in my life.

In Matthew 14, we find Jesus grieving over the death of his cousin John the Baptist. What did he immediately do upon hearing the news? You guessed it, according to verse 13, "...He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself;" Jesus got alone. However, the people followed Him, and before you know it, He is right in the middle of ministry again, healing the sick, and bringing the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes. What a tremendous miracle! Yet, after everyone had eaten, he sent the people away and the disciples away, and according to verse 23, "...He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray..."

What does this teach us about our own needs in life? That when we are grieving, we need to get alone with God, that when we are victorious, we need to get alone with God. Jesus, who had a fellowship with the Father that we cannot wrap our minds around, still felt it necessary to get alone with God when He was in the valley and on the mountain tops. How much more do we? How much more do I?

We face valleys and enjoy mountain tops in our lives, sometimes all in the same day, just as Jesus did on this day. In any case, let us get alone with the One who loves us the most, who created us and sustains us, who has purchased us with the precious blood of His only Son, who has sent us His Spirit, and who will receive us unto Himself for all eternity. Let us approach the God Who has made a way for us to come to Him and sit at His feet, tell Him our difficulties, declare to Him our love and devotion, receive His grace, His comfort, or any other thing He may have for us.

If we genuinely love the Lord the way we declare, let us not neglect our time with Him.

Mac