Dear Ones:
One of the great lessons that David had to learn was to not “…lean unto thine own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5) We are all apt to walk by sight, and not by faith. In doing so, we not only demonstrate that we are not trusting God who knows all things visible and invisible, but we are actually being foolish, for inadvertently, we put ourselves in the place of God. Solomon wrote further: ….(and this is the out working of trusting in the Lord), ” In ALL thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (v.6) Perhaps we DO believe that God can direct our paths if we obey this directive, but do we believe that He WILL do so?
After the death of Saul, David was in a position to become the king that he was called to be. But where to begin? Scripture tells us that he, “…enquired of the Lord (…acknowledged Him in his way…), saying, ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? …Whither shall I go?'” (2 Sam. 2:1) In answer to both questions, he Lord spoke to him very clearly, and simply. God knew where David needed to be for the next seven and a half years…in Hebron. After David eventually came to reside in Jerusalem, being at that time the King of Judah and Israel, he was faced with another opportunity of whether he would “lean unto his own understanding or not.” Please note that regardless of the circumstance, the principle remains the same…day and night. Upon hearing of David’s anointing as king of Israel, “…all the Philistines came up to seek David.” (2 Sam. 5:17) What does David do? He enquires of the Lord. “Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt Thou deliver them into mine hand?” (v.19) The answer was clear as to what to do, and was accompanied by a promise of victory. Later, the Philistines came again, and David again enquired of the Lord. This time, the Lord does not tell him to “go up.” On the contrary, “…Thou shalt NOT go up; but ‘make a circle’ behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.” He goes on to say that David is to listen for a certain sound, “the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees.” That will be the sign that he is to go forth and defeat the Philistines, “…for THEN shall the Lord go out before thee.” (v.23-25) Let’s be very clear here. The Lord does NOT need David in order to deal with the Philistines. But He DOES seek to reveal Himself to David and his men, so that they will ever declare, and proclaim that He is the only true and living God. How does He do this? Simply by responding to the call of the one who will “…acknowledge Him in all thy ways, and He shall direct thy paths.” We often forget that we are called first to KNOW God, and then to make Him known. This principle is one of those wonderful truths that opens the door for us to know God, to experience Him.
Dear Lord, give us grace to give Thee access to all that confronts us. Enable us to specifically trust Thee by enquiring of Thee, believing that Thou shalt direct us in Thy ways, for Thy purposes. Give us grace, “…in this hour to PROVE the sweet omnipotence of Thy love,” to know Thee, and to make Thee known. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way! When storms o’er spread the skies, Teach me Thy way! Shine through the cloud and rain, Thro’ sorrow, toil, and pain, MAKE THOU MY PATHWAY PLAIN, Teach me Thy way.” B. Mansell Ramsey
Love, Dad