Inquiring of God

“And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
1 Chronicles 14:10

The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” That is why King David was such a great leader in Israel... still regarded as the greatest king that ever lived next to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself - Why?
Because he sought God’s instruction before anything or anyone else.

Now, we always say here at Shalom, “A good idea is not always a God idea and a need never justifies a call.
What does that mean? It means that when the Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth, He didn’t heal all the sick and He didn’t feed all the hungry. He only did what His Father in Heaven instructed Him to do.

You know, often people come to me and they cry and say, “How can a God of love allow me to suffer so much?” And then when they start to share their story... it turns out it wasn’t God at all - It was their own idea and their own plan. It wasn’t God who said you must marry an unbeliever. It wasn’t God who told you to go into business with a man who does not serve God... an unscrupulous businessman.

A while back a young man came to see me who had worked with me for many, many years - out of the blue he said, “I am leaving.” Needless to say, I was quite shaken because he was one of my key men in the ministry, a godly man. I asked him only one question - “Did you hear from God?” His answer was, “Yes.” and that was the end of the story. I said, “Go in peace.” I can hear some of you saying to me today, “But how do you enquire of God?”

Well, first of all, you pray. Jesus says, “I open a door for you that no man can close.” Revelation 3:8

When the door is closed, don’t try and break it down. When the door opens, then you go through it.

Secondly, the Word - you must read the Bible.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105

And then, you must seek counsel. Have you got Jesus’ telephone number? Jeremiah 333 (Jeremiah 33:3). He says:

“Call unto me and I will answer you”.

And then you must have peace in your heart. Jesus says:

“My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”
John 14:27

And then you need faith, confident faith. Abraham was known as a friend of God, not because he was a good man but because he believed and he obeyed. James 2:23

I remember many years ago, it was the fashion for Christians to wear a band around their wrist with “WWJD” printed on it. I had one of those - What Would Jesus Do... It was a reminder. I want to say to you today, ask yourself one question. “Would Jesus do it?” If the answer is “Yes,” well then go and do it. If there is no answer, that means, “No”, if He says, “No”, definitely don’t go there.

Have a wonderful day. God bless you.