FAITH CAPSULE: Inquiring from God is going after the heart of God.

1 Samuel 30

King David, a man of war had a relationship with God. God identified David as a man after His heart. He brought down Goliath, a giant who stood between the Israelites and peace. On numerous occasions, he unsettled the arch enemy (Philistines) of the Israelites. David was anointed to be king, years before he actually became the king. Despite his knowing, he did not upset the plan of God for his life by trying to get to the throne before the appointed time. How often have you caused a diversion for yourself in an attempt to make the plans of God happen before God’s appointed time? He had the life of the reigning king (Saul) in his hand so many times when he was being chased by Saul. Yet David did not take Saul’s life. David could have killed Saul and become the King before God’s time. He had good reason to kill Saul, but he chose to run and hide from cave to cave, wilderness to wilderness, and from one priest to another.

It is worthy of note that, among the characters of David which must have identified him as a man after God’s own heart was his constant inquiring from God. At a time when King Saul was after his life, David wanted to keep his father and mother safe. It is written, “Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.” (1 Samuel 22:3)

The same David refused to take situation into His hand by taking it to the hands of God before going after the Amalekites that burned the city, took captive wives, sons and daughters of his men. It is written, “David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” (1 Samuel 30:8) David disallowed his past glory from replacing his reliance on God for direction. As directed by God after his inquiring, “…David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.” (1 Samuel 30:17-19) Inquiring from God is going after the heart of God. It is a demonstration of total faith and taking a position to attaining great exploit.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of constant and complete reliance on God.