Title Asking God (2 Samuel 2:1-7)
Content David was appointed king of Israel, but he did not move even one step without God's direction. From the troubled days of his youth, David first inquired of the Lord about everything, and after receiving an answer, he went out. And through such a life, he was recognized by God and won.
I. It is the duty of the saints to inquire of the Lord and seek guidance.
Considering the following reasons, we should ask God for guidance and seek guidance. First, God becomes the father of the saints, and the saints become God's children. It is natural to seek help from the Almighty God. Second, God is our shepherd. The sheep must follow the guidance of the shepherd. Third, Jesus Christ is our bridegroom. It is the wisest life to have the Lord as a prophet, priest, and king to consult and be led.
When you think you are right, you are the most foolish, and when you think you are the strongest, you are a failure. Because when that happens, you don't ask God. We must ask God for the purpose of life. Living life 'for Christ' like the Apostle Paul is possible when we ask Christ.
II. Does the Lord know?
“They have appointed leaders, but I do not know them” (Hosea 8:4). It is impossible for God's children to do things in the world that God does not know. But there may be things that the Lord does not know. First, what you do without asking the Lord is not for the Lord to know. The secret of Saul's defeat and David's victory lies in whether or not he asked God and took care of the matter. If you do it without asking God, you cannot succeed, and even if you do, it cannot be a blessing because the Lord does not know about it. Second, doing things unilaterally without the Lord's permission is not the Lord's knowledge. Asking and permission are different, asking and notifying are different. Even if you ask God, if you do it without permission, you are disobeying God. It is wrong to quickly judge that it is a good thing, and that it is allowed because it is the Lord's work. Even if it is slow, you have to wait for permission. Otherwise, Ishmael will be born, and the result will be unfortunate. Third, if it does not go according to the Lord's way, the Lord does not know it. How you did it is more important than what you did. We should ask the Lord anything and do what He knows.
III. How does God's guidance come?
Then how does God's guidance come, and how can we discern it? First, God guides us with the inspired word, second, leads us on the path to spiritual benefits and glory to God, third guides us according to providence, fourth guides us through the advice of experienced and consistent saints (through the lips of the preacher), and fifthly leads us clearly. He guides you by inspiration (by the Holy Spirit).
Let me conclude.
When there is God's guidance, we must humbly obey. God says, "Seek ye my face", "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." I hope that you will become believers who enjoy the blessings promised in the Word by receiving and keeping these Words.