INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW…SO JUST ASK!
How often do we fret and fume over indecision! We wonder what to do and get stressed out in the process of making a good decision. What keeps us from going immediately to the Lord instead of trying to figure things out on our own?
The Bibe calls it “inquiring.” This word has a several interesting definitions in the Hebrew language. Two of them caught my eye. Inquiring refers to “requesting counsel” and “saluting.” In simple terms, when we request God’s counsel we “salute” Him to welcome Him into our circumstances and to honor Him as Sovereign over all that concerns us. Let’s look at a few scriptures to help us understand the power of inquiring of the Lord.
Read Proverbs 3:5-7
1. What commands tell us what we should NOT do in these verses?
Read I Samuel 13:6-14
2. The prophet, Samuel, had previously instructed Saul to await his arrival and instructions. What did King Saul do in verses 9-10?
3. What phrases reveal King Saul’s dependence on himself? Hint: they all begin with “I.” What resulted from Saul being wise in his own eyes in verses 13-14?
Read I Corinthians 2:5
4. How does this verse relate to the above scriptures? On whom or what do we base our faith?
Read Colossians 2:3
5. What is hidden in Christ? How does this verse encourage you to ask?
When we inqire of the Lord before making a decision, we receive God’s thoughts to give us assurance for action. Rather than using the words of Saul, like “I thought” or “I decided,” (which is relying on ourselves) let’s simply ASK the Lord, “What do You want me to do?” Saul’s disobedience led to lost opportunities. Saul rationalized his disobedience with excuses about how he felt or thought. The Message Bible says he took things into his own hands. Let’s not base our decisions on man’s wisdom but on the power that is available to us if we simply ask. You never know how God will answer.
Try it this week…it could change your life!
from Orlando, FL.
We must not lean to our own understanding – SEEK GOD – In all ways have HIM with you and HE will direct our paths – We must not be wise in our own eyes – we must fear the LORD – depart from all evil – we must just cling to the LORD and do what HE tells us to do – HE IS THE WISE ONE in our lives. King Saul went ahead and offered a burnt offering and peace offerings – as soon as King Saul had made – Samuel came – King Saul went out to meet Samuel and salute Him – I saw the people were scattered – I have not made supplication unto the LORD – I forced myself – King Saul did not keep that which the LORD commanded him. Our faith does not stand in the wisdom of men – but in the power of GOD – this is a wonderful thing for us to learn and apply to our lives. Our wisdom and knowledge are hidden in CHRIST – Lots of times you and I behave like King Saul – we take things into our own hands and do not wait upon the LORD – we have a tendency to get ahead of the LORD many times – we do not wait on HIM – this is a lesson we really need to dwell on many times – I love each lesson – I love to dwell on them the whole week – they are so wonderful and really makes us think in our lives.
Another powerful, thought provoking study. Again, thank you, Karen. I, all too often, am guilty of trying to figure out how “I” can fix things when they go wrong and pray as a last resort, when I can’t find a solution. I know I should run to the Lord at the first sign of a problem and not wait. There are, of course, those times when something overwhelming happens and I just have to tell Him, “Father, this is too big for me. I can’t deal with it at all. You’re going to have to take this one.” At those times, I’m probably doing what He really wants of me all the time. I’m so very grateful for His presence in my life and that I can lay everything at His feet then watch Him work. I’m overwhelmed by His love and His willingness to work things out for me.
1sam 13:6-14…I have trouble with this one. Yes, Saul took things into his own hands BUT his heart was in the right place….he was trying to seek God. God looks upon the heart. So I chuck this one up to Old Testament pre-grace law. I can see myself doing the same thing Saul did. :-/ and 1cor 2:5 seems to go right along with that: “so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” Saul was trying to seek God’s power because Samuel’s wisdom seemingly missed the mark. Again…??? I visited my parents church this weekend while in Illinois, & the pastor asked us to make a list of the things we want from God. Topping my list is wisdom, knowledge, more HS & deeper intimacy with Jesus. I do like my Vegas church, but I do not ever see, hear, or sense the HS there, and upon entering this Illinois church, it sparked in me that need again. It’s been so long since I’ve attended a church that encourages HS activity, that I didn’t realize how sedated I’d become. But I know in my heart God s prompting me to ask for these things…..so good things are coming! :)
What may seem or sound right may not always be right. As stated in Prov 14:12, there is a way that seems right to man but its end is the way of death. I realize its quite easy for me to divorce myself from Saul’s situation and pass some sort of judgment. I can only pray for more grace to always choose right and do right.