Inquiring of the Lord

King David is perhaps one of the greatest spiritual men of the Old Testament. He was not perfect and made many mistakes. We can learn some spiritual lessons from him and his personal relationship with the Lord through prayer and trusting God for His leadership.

I Chronicles 14: 8-17

Lessons can be learned about how Christians should relate and respond to the Lord in prayer:

  1. A Christian should ask the Lord questions—vs. 10 David inquired of the Lord if he should or should not go out to battle. Every Christian ought to seek the mind of the Lord and for His wisdom before making decisions. God does desire that we make our requests, petitions, and supplications known to Him. He invites us to ask for wisdom.

 

  1. A Christian should obey what he knows after trusting the Lord in prayer—vs. 11 Once the Christian has prayed about a decision and sought for wisdom and counsel; prayed for the Lord to open and close doors, he ought to obey the Lord.

 

  1. A Christian should serve and work with the Lord—vs. 11 David recognized that it was God that had broken through on his enemies by David’s hand. While we pray and trust the Lord, this does not exempt us from putting forth the work.

 

  1. A Christian should give the Lord glory for victories—vs. 11 David did not take up the glory for the battle; attributing this to his military might and prowess. He rather gave glory to the Lord for His strength.

 

  1. A Christian should never be presumptuous because of past victories—vs. 14 David could have easily been tempted to go to battle based upon the former prayers he had offered and the victories which the Lord had wrought. This is the temptation for every Christian. Yesterday’s prayers and victories are not for today. They do not guarantee victory today. I must continually seek the Lord for each new circumstance in my life; confessing presumption as sin. Just because it worked yesterday does not mean that it will today. Never be content with old store in prayer.

 

  1. A Christian must follow God’s specific plan—vs. 15

God has a perfect plan in human circumstance, so we must follow the specific plan. Wait for the small wind in the mulberry trees. God may not send wind, but He will work through open and closed doors, godly counsel, and guidance through His Word.

 

  1. A Christian must obey God’s will—vs. 16

David’s submission is evident in that he did as the Lord commanded him. He was able to see the victory because he was obedient to the Lord’s leading in his life. Be submitted to the plan of God and follow through with obedience.

 

There are some lessons that can be learned about the Lord by observing how He deals with David and his prayers to the Lord.

  • God may say no, not now, or another way—vs. 14 IF God answers in this way, we must obey or we may lose a battle and reap destruction.
  • God always has a plan—vs. 15 God desired to use David to smite the enemies of Israel. When we come to a fork in the road, God always has a plan. We must seek Him for His will. It is not a 50%, 50% decision as far as right and wrong; it is a 100%, 0% decision.