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Inquire of the Lord So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David, "Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand." 2 Samuel 5:19 There's little better than discussing a major decision in life than talking face to face with a good friend and confidant. The next best thing is talking on the phone. These forms of contact give us an assurance that what we are about to do is right. David had that kind of relationship with God. Note today's verse, "Shall I go up against the Philistines?" his is a major decision for anyone. "Is it appropriate for me to go up against a major enemy at this time?" It's a life or death matter. If I go and the time is wrong, I may die. If I don't go and the time is right, the opportunity may never come again -- and they may remain a thorn in my flesh forever. Decisions, decisions, decisions! But David was asking the right individual. He was asking the God of creation, the King of kings, the Master Strategist. If God didn't have the answer to this question, He didn't have the answer to any question. So ask David did -- and answer God did! "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." David did. God did. And David won the battle. You know, you can have that same relationship with the Father. You really can. No, it won't happen overnight. It won't happen next week. It will happen like it did with David. He began building his relationship with God at a young age. He worked at it in the wilderness as he tended his father's sheep. He developed it when he went to the front lines and heard Goliath's challenge. He knew he was on the right track when he killed that giant of a man with a single stone from his trusty sling. But that wasn't the end of the relationship's development. God sent him into exile. He lived in caves. He dwelt with heathens. He dealt with fools. All the time he was building a relationship with the Father. Sure, he had other counselors. Some of them were really good friends. But it was the God of the wilderness to whom he turned when he really needed to know what to do. He had learned that God never failed him. Never did -- never would. God will develop that relationship with you over a period of time. The more you get to know Him, the more you learn to trust Him. The more you talk with Him, the more you know His voice. The more you read His word, the more you know His mind. All of these shape a confidence that allows you to ask, "Is it time to take on this enemy?" And you will hear the voice of God. You will know His mind. You will proceed -- and you will be victorious. Amen. Help us to remember Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together. Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
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