How does consulting God first reflect our trust and dependence on Him? Setting the Scene 1 Samuel 30 opens with David returning to Ziklag and finding the town burned, their families taken captive, and his men ready to stone him in grief and anger. Verse 6 notes David’s deep distress, yet it also says, “David found strength in the LORD his God.” Verse 7 follows immediately: “Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, ‘Bring me the ephod.’ So Abiathar brought it to him.” (1 Samuel 30:7) Observations from 1 Samuel 30:7 • David’s first impulse is to inquire of the LORD, not to rally his soldiers or seek human counsel. • He requests the ephod, the priestly garment used for seeking God’s guidance—an act rooted in confidence that God speaks and directs. • By involving Abiathar the priest, David respects God’s ordained means of revelation rather than improvising on his own. What Consulting God First Reveals • Trust in God’s Omniscience – David assumes God already knows the path forward (Isaiah 46:10). • Dependence on Divine Power – David’s hope for rescue rests on God’s ability, not on his military skill (Psalm 20:7). • Submission to God’s Authority – Asking before acting places God on the throne of decision-making (James 4:15). • Anticipation of Personal Guidance – David expects a specific answer; he is not praying into a void (Jeremiah 33:3). Parallel Examples in Scripture • Moses: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15) • Jehoshaphat: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) • Nehemiah: Before speaking to the king, “I prayed to the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 2:4) • Jesus: Rose early “while it was still dark” to pray (Mark 1:35). These accounts echo the same pattern: God’s people consult Him first, reflecting wholehearted reliance. Practical Takeaways 1. Pause Before Planning – Lay the matter before God prior to brainstorming solutions (Proverbs 3:5-6). 2. Use God-Given Means – Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and the Spirit’s leading function today as our “ephod.” 3. Expect Specific Direction – Look for God’s answer in His Word, through circumstances, or inner conviction aligned with truth (Psalm 32:8). 4. Act in Confidence Once God Speaks – David pursued and recovered all (1 Samuel 30:18-19). Obedience followed guidance. Final Encouragement Every crisis tests where we place our trust. By turning instinctively to the Lord, David models a heart that believes God is both willing and able to lead. Cultivating that reflex in daily decisions demonstrates genuine dependence and invites the same faithful guidance we see in Ziklag’s story. |
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