By Shane Kastler
(Note: This article is scheduled to appear in the September 16 edition of the Linn County News.)
In the Old Testament, Israel’s King David was described as a “man after God’s own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14) David was not perfect. A study of his life shows that there were times when he fell into horrendous sin. Yet over the entire course of his life, you can also see an undying devotion to his Lord.
One of the traits that made David so holy was his prayer life. Before he became King, he was a valiant warrior. And before he entered into any battle, he would seek the Lord’s will as to whether or not it was a fight he should undertake. In 1 Chronicles 14, we read: “Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. David inquired of God, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You give them into my hand?’ Then the LORD said to him, ‘Go up, for I will give them into your hand.” (1 Chronicles 14:9-10 NASB)
Not only did David seek the Lord’s will, but he also acted promptly once he knew it. Like David, you and I must be committed to seeking the Lord’s will in all things. And once we know what the Lord would have us do…we must do it. But once we know God’s will and do God’s will, we must remember that our relationship with God through prayer is not over. And when God blesses us, we must remember that it is He, not us who deserves the glory.
After David defeated the Philistines, the Bible tells us: “So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there; and David said, ‘God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.’ Therefore they named that place Baal -perazim. They abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire.” (1 Chronicles 14:11-12 NASB)
Not only did David give God the glory for the victory. He saw to it that the idols of the Philistines were destroyed. David wasn’t interested in the one, true God sharing attention with false idols. Through his prayer life and obedience, David brought glory to God. Can the same be said for you?
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