Today, let us look at the second part of 1 Samuel 23:3-5.

1 Samuel 23:3-5 – “But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces! Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah.”

When David inquired of the Lord in verses 1 and 2 – we see that God clearly answered and said, “Go.” Then Davids men started questioning Davids decision, and voiced their concerns to him. Their concerns were reasonable. However, David was a righteous man and he wanted to make the right decision in the eyes of the Lord.

Let us look at what it means to ‘inquire’: to seek, to search, to sift, to study.

David searched the Lord for answers. Psalm 20 tell us that the Lord answers our prayers. The Lord answered Davids prayer with an instruction and said, “Go.” The Lords instructions require our obedience. David loved the Lord and longed to serve Him faithfully.

Let us study three things that stand out in this part of scripture:

• David was obedient to the Lord.
• David searched the Lord for answers and was led by his friendship with God and not the fears of man.
• David had faith in the Lords promises.

John 15:14 – “You are my friends if you do what I command.”

Obedience to the commands of Christ is our sign of love towards Him. If we love Him, we will obey Him. We are known by our obedience. Obedience is one of the marks of a Christ follower. However, sometimes we ransom the righteous decisions for the reasonable ones because they’re easy and effortless.

Have you ever felt the nudge of God to go in a certain direction? Do you follow the instructions of the Lord? Or do you pursue the approval of friends? There is wisdom in seeking Godly counsel. Proverbs reminds us of this regularly.

Proverbs 11:14 – “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”

Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

Proverbs 19:20 – “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”

There is good guidance to be found in the advice of godly governance. Do you seek godly governance or just guided googled advice? Oftentimes, we look for someone to meddle in our matters as opposed to mentor us through our dilemmas.

There is a big difference between a meddler and a mentor.

• A meddler points you towards Google but a mentor points you towards Gods Word.
• A meddler supports you despite wrong thinking but a mentor summons you to search scripture.
• A meddler agrees with everything you say but a mentor asks the neccessary questions and urges you to inquire of the Lord.

When faced with difficult decisions or situations – it’s wise to run to someone whos wisdom is found in the Word of God and not the words of man. Often as women, we like the comforts of coffee dates and chitchats. We talk without taking stock of our words. We gawk, gossip and gab with little consideration about the words we use. These very words have the power to protect us or perplex us; they have the power to direct us or distract us. So let’s choose to use them wisely! From whom are you seeking advice? Do you run towards the comfort found in friends? Or do you run towards to correction found in Gods Word?

Can I encourage you to seek counsel from confident Christians? We are not called to live a life of comfort but rather one of careful consideration and utmost obedience to God and His Word.

David went to the Lord with his friends concerns, and inquired of the Lord once again. It’s good to weigh up our concerns in conversation with the Lord. David, once again heard the instruction to go.

Did you notice these three things:

• God did not change His mind. His response was still the same as it was the first time. God does not change His mind. He is true to His words.
• This time God promises David victory. The Lord answered David and He alone brought the comfort that David and his men needed. God understands our struggles and in Him we can find the answers and aid we need to face another day.
• David seeked, searched, sifted and studied the Lord for answers, and not man. We need to seek Gods face in all things because we can rely on His promises. The Lord is always faithful to what He says.

Psalm 105:4 – “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”

The Lords direction is not a democracy but a demonstration of His authority, which requires our humility and conformity. It’s good to wrestle with the right advice of righteous friends but ultimately our response needs to be rendered before the Lord. In verse 5, we see that the Lord fulfilled His promise to David and delivered the Philistines into their hand.

What are you trusting the Lord for today?

Whom are you trusting with your hearts questions and decisions today?

Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

⁶ Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
⁹ Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!

The Lord answers. The Lord protects. The Lord sends help. The Lord grants supports. The Lord remembers. The Lord accepts. The Lord makes our plans succeed.

This is the nature of the Lord, so we can trust these things about Him.

Read through Psalm 20 and highlight and circle everything the Lord is saying to you through this Psalm.