Chapter 14 is an entire recount of 2 Samuel 5, verses 11-25. It highlights one of the greatest examples of seeking the Lord’s guidance. When we include God in our decision making, great things happen. Someone told my wife years ago, “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.” How true that statement is in our relationship with the Lord. If we make decisions without seeking the Lord’s guidance (free will), we simply endure the consequences of those decisions, good or bad, right? And since you didn’t ask the Lord for guidance (closed mouth), He doesn’t give you an answer, which means you’re not getting fed. Wow…God you are so amazing!
The following is the last full paragraph in this chapter; it recounts David’s victory over the Philistines, and demonstrates the power of asking God for guidance before making decisions:.
“But after a while, the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind them and attack them near the balsam trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the balsam trees, attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistines.” So David did what God commanded, and he struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.” (1 Chronicles 14:13-16)
Wow! That is amazing! Think about what just happened. If David had never asked God what he should do, God would not have given him those specific directions. It’s likely David would have lost that battle and suffered greatly from the defeat. But because God was with David, David would have eventually conquered the Philistines, but not without the consequences of the defeat. He would have endured much pain and suffering when he didn’t have to by simply asking God for guidance. Thank God he asked the Lord for guidance!
Are we enduring more pain and suffering in our lives because we are not seeking the Lord for guidance? Are our lives zigzagging…taking the long route home because we are using our “free will” and making our own decisions without God? Are we causing our breakthroughs to be delayed because we’re choosing not to include God in our decisions? God has a plan for us, but is that plan taking longer to accomplish because we keep getting in the way, deciding things on our own, not seeking God’’s guidance, and simply failing to ask God what to do?
Let God move ahead of you and clear a path for your future like He did for David! But He can’t do that if you don’t trust Him and ask Him for direction.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! You are amazing! Help us seek you, so we can hear the marching feet of your soldiers in the balsam trees, signifying you are clearing a path ahead of us. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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