Why is it important to "inquire of God" in spiritual battles today? Opening Scripture “So David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?’ The LORD replied to David, ‘Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.’” (2 Samuel 5:19) What David Did—and Why It Matters Today David was already a proven warrior, yet he paused to seek God’s counsel before engaging the enemy. His example teaches that even seasoned believers must rely on divine guidance, not merely past experience or human strategy. Key Reasons to Inquire of God in Spiritual Battles • Alignment with God’s will – When we ask, we position ourselves under God’s sovereign plan (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Clarity of strategy – God supplies specific direction, as He did for David (2 Samuel 5:23-24). • Assurance of victory – The promise precedes the battle, replacing fear with faith (Romans 8:31). • Dependence over presumption – Inquiring disciplines the heart to rely on God, avoiding the error of “they did not inquire of the LORD” (Joshua 9:14). • Protection from unseen danger – Spiritual warfare involves forces we cannot perceive; God sees what we cannot (Ephesians 6:12). • Fresh guidance for each battle – Yesterday’s instructions are not always today’s orders; David sought new direction even when facing the same enemy (1 Chronicles 14:13-16). Practical Ways to Inquire of God • Scripture immersion—searching God’s Word for principles and direct commands (Psalm 119:105). • Prayerful listening—setting aside time to ask and wait (Psalm 27:14). • Worship and fasting—tuning the heart to hear, as Jehoshaphat did (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). • Wise counsel—seeking input from mature believers who themselves seek God (Proverbs 15:22). • Ongoing sensitivity—remaining open to course corrections mid-battle (Acts 16:6-10). Encouraging Examples from Scripture • Moses—consulted God at the Red Sea and saw deliverance (Exodus 14:13-16). • Joshua—met the Commander of the LORD’s army before Jericho (Joshua 5:13-15). • Hezekiah—spread Assyrian threats before the LORD and witnessed angelic intervention (2 Kings 19:14-35). • Early Church—prayed for Peter, leading to miraculous escape (Acts 12:5-11). Cautions When We Don’t Inquire • Presumptive defeat—Israel at Ai trusted past success and suffered loss (Joshua 7:2-5). • Misaligned alliances—Jehoshaphat’s partnership with Ahab nearly cost him his life (2 Chronicles 18:3-34). • Unnecessary casualties—Uzzah died when David moved the ark without seeking God’s prescribed method (1 Chronicles 13:1-10; 15:13). Conclusion—Stepping Out After Hearing Like David, believers face real adversaries. Victory is assured when we pause, inquire, listen, and then act in obedience. The God who answered David still guides His people today, turning spiritual battles into testimonies of His faithful deliverance. |
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