"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD"

2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

This incident came on the heels of the death of King Saul. David had already been chosen by God to be the new King over Israel, but, he had to wait on God's timing to begin his ministry as King. Now that Saul was dead, the time had come for him to move into the new role God had for him. And, David did what any man can do when he wants to know the will of God, He enquired of the LORD.

1. A Christian is well served to follow this example set forth by David.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?”

One thing that is not in this verse, is that David was accustomed to inquiring of the LORD. In fact, in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, David, no less than 6 times did this very thing. He inquired of the LORD.
David had learned the importance of seeking the will of God before acting, and of asking God what He wanted him to do.

This is a good practice for any believer to adopt, and practice regularly. To inquire of the Lord.
The word inquire means, to ask, to request, to beg, to consult, to seek.
It simply means to ask God what He wants you to do.

2. The Lord will answer the person seeking God's will and wisdom.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

You see in the verse above that David's specific request had to do with what cities he should go to at this time.
He was seeking direction from God as to where to go. That was what David needed to know, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?"

And, you also see here, that God answered David's prayer.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

3. Often we need to ask for step by step direction from the Lord.
2nd Samuel 2:1 After this, David asked the LORD, “Should I move back to Judah?” And the LORD replied, “Yes.” Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” And the LORD replied, “Hebron.”

David actually asked two questions, and received two answers.

(1) Should I move back to Judah?.
Judah was the southern area of Israel.
And, the Lord said "Yes" move back to Judah.

(2) Then David asked which city in Judah he should move back to?
And, the Lord answered him and said, "Hebron"

4. Jesus Christ has both instructed us to ask and promised to answer our prayers for wisdom and guidance.
Matt 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matt 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

This is how these verses read in the NLT Version.

Matt 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.

Matt 7:8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

You notice that Jesus says to keep on asking, keep on looking, and keep on knocking. And, then promises that the person who asks will receive, the person who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to everyone who knocks.

5. God has given us another promise to those who do not know what to do.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

So, if you don't know what to do, just like David did not know what to do, but he asked, please be encouraged to ask God to tell you. If you need wisdom, if you want to know what God wants you to do, than simply ask Him. And, just like He did with David, He will be more than glad to tell you what you need to know. And, God will never resent you asking. He wants you to ask, because He wants to guide you into His will.

Some questions:

1. What situation are you in this very day and you do not know what to do about it?

2. Do you believe that God knows what you should do?.

3. Are you willing to do what He will direct you to do if you ask Him?

4. Will you be patient and specific, and consistent in your asking?.

5. Do you believe that God will answer Your prayer?

A prayer:

Father, what a beautiful example You have given us in David, and His consistent habit of inquiring of You. He had developed this habit and pattern in his life. And, You were faithful, each and every time to answer him. Lord, help us to follow this example. And, thank You for the teaching You give us in the NT about asking, seeking and knocking, and thank you for the promise You give to respond to our prayers. Lord, please restrain us from just going off on our own without consulting You. Thank You that Your ways are much better than our ways, but help us Lord to humble ourselves and to ask, and to be patient, and trusting, that You will answer us. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia