Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. ~ I Chronicles 10:13, 14
READING: I Samuel 23:1-5
One of the ways in which Saul was unfaithful to God was in the way he asked for guidance. Rather than going directly to God, Saul consulted a spiritual medium from Endor. Saul lost his leadership and his life as a result of his unfaithfulness.
In contrast, David was a faithful man . . . a man after God’s own heart. One of his spiritual disciplines was to inquire directly of God for guidance. We see this clearly in the story from I Samuel 23. We should always immerse ourselves in the Word of God as our primary source of guidance.
David experienced success from the Lord because he asked God what to do and then did it. One of the reasons that God loved David so much was because David asked him for guidance so often. David was a man after God’s own heart. David expressed that heart for God by going directly to God for guidance.
I love to take personal prayer retreats three or four times a year to inquire of God. This has been one of my spiritual disciplines for many years. Most of the major decisions in my life and ministry have emerged from these prayer retreats.
I encourage you to develop the habit of taking personal prayer retreats on a regular basis. Prayer retreats help us to refocus on the Lord and to reorient ourselves to walk in step with His will. They give us marching orders, greatly enhancing our daily pursuit of his guidance.
Dear Father, Show me what to do and help me to follow where you lead. Amen.
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