“Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” 8 And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. 9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”10 David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will.” 12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will.” 13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.” 1 Samuel 23.7-13
David did not only inquire once of the Lord; he made a habit of it. In the previous segment, we see David asking Abiathar the priest to “bring the ephod” and ask the Lord if he should go against the Philistines. Just verses later, David is asking again about Saul and if the king is seeking to harm him. Abiathar inquires and gives David the answers he is seeking.
So David is on the move. He and 600 men begin to move from place to place to hide from Saul and the larger Israeli army of thousands. The only way that David remains alive at this time is because of the intercession from Abiathar from the Lord. Before each major move and action, the ephod is brought forth, sometimes sacrifices are made, and prayers are prayed. And God speaks.
How does God speak to us this day? Is it through a holy priestly garment, the ephod, and an interceding priest? No chance! Now we have direct access to God and his direction for our lives. And yet, too few times do we seek it. Sometimes we turn to God for the big things in life. Whom should I marry? What house should I buy? What job should I take? How many kids should we have? But rarely do we ask God for every other decision, every moment of every day.
Now it might be foolish to ask God what toothbrush I should purchase at HEB or what flavor of Blue Bell I should eat (or not eat!). But many decisions that we take upon ourselves can be asked of the Lord – how do you want me to schedule my day? With whom should I meet? How should I spend my money? How can I encourage my friends and family? These and other questions are very plausible in asking of God. Our relationship with Him is not transitory but alive and active. God wants to be involved in each decision, not just the big ones.
So what does this do for us? It makes us dependent and attuned to God and His will for our lives. Seeking God in all areas and circumstances positions us to increase our reliance upon his will for us. Seeking Jesus in prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit can and should be as natural as breathing.
So bring God with you today in your decision making. Inquire of him. Invite him in. Allow Christ to be with you, in you, through you, and around you. Seek him and, just as David did in making his escape from Saul, inquire of him for his will in your life. You will be glad you did.
“O Lord God, you are good. I am but your servant. Thank you for loving me, saving me, redeeming me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me walk according to your ways that my life might be full of your love and grace. I praise you, Lord, for who you are. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen