Doing What God Is Blessing

The Bible tells us that when he was confronted with an enemy or an obstacle, again and again King David would "inquire of the Lord."

In 1 Samuel 30, we see that while David and his mighty men were off on a raid, the Amalekites came into their camp and carried off all the women and children. The Bible says that David faced danger from his own men who were distraught by this tragedy. But David turned to the Lord for help.

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God.  Then he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring me the ephod!" So Abiathar brought it.  Then David asked the LORD, "Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?" And the LORD told him, "Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!" (1 Samuel. 30:6-8, NLT)

Often when facing a struggle we are tempted to turn from the Lord in anger or hurt. But these are the times when it is essential to turn to the Lord and to seek His face and His counsel. David could have given in to despair and run from God at that crucial moment, and that very well might have been the last thing we ever heard about him.

But he didn't run from God, he ran to God.

And there is another lesson here. David could have gone to the Lord and said, "I'm planning to go after the Amalekites. I pray you will bless MY plan."

But that's not what David did, and I believe this is a key to his success. He inquired of the Lord and ASKED, "Should I chase after this band of raiders?" Then he waited for the Lord to answer his question.

Many times we ask God to "bless what we're doing," and that is a good and important prayer. But the best thing is to seek God's plan in your prayers so that He would direct you to be "doing what He is blessing."

The Bible tells us that David listened to the voice of God and then followed His leading. And we are told that God blessed what David did:

David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his two wives.  Nothing was missing: small or great, son or daughter, nor anything else that had been taken. David brought everything back. (1 Samuel 30:18-19, NLT)

Today, as you pray, ask the Lord that in every area of your life that you would be "doing what God is blessing." Then listen for God's voice, and when you hear it, jump into the stream of God's blessing. 

Copyright © Craig von Buseck, used with permission.