I’m on Day 53 in a 90-day Bible reading plan and the process continues to fascinate me. Reading so quickly allows me to see certain details, make interesting connections, and recognize themes while things are fresh in my mind. Here are some examples that are re-inspiring me to be direct and specific with questions of God.
King David asked God for specific direction and God answered.
2 Samuel 2:1 "Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” So David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”"
King Solomon asked God for wisdom and it pleased God.
1 Kings 3:9-10 "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people? "It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this."
Before Queen Esther stepped out in a risky act of faith, she inquired of the Lord and asked her kinsmen to stand with her in prayer for God's favor.
Esther 4:16 "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."
In contrast, King Asa sought professional help while ignoring God.
2 Chronicles 16:12 "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians."
The other day, Larry and I were muddling through a handful of decisions we were generally prayerful about but had not stopped to inquire of the Lord in a very specific way. In the midst of our discussion, we finally stopped to ask a very targeted, “Should we do this or that, God?” We didn’t hear an audible answer but a solution and direction did become clear within just a couple of minutes after that prayer.
Coincidence? NO WAY!
Lord, we are both challenged and inspired by these accounts from the Bible. We want to be people who don’t hesitate to inquire of You at every crossroads. We want to be people who walk so intimately with You that we recognize Your “voice” and promptings — not just in the big issues but also in the moment-by-moment details of our lives. We want to effectively use the resources You have placed around us without becoming so distracted by them that we forget about going to the One who gave those good gifts in the first place. Help us, Lord! AMEN
