PRACTICAL WISDOM
25th Sep 2024
King David is described as ‘a man after God’s own heart’. He loved the Lord and had a close personal relationship. He was able to receive rebuke, to change his behaviour, and had learned the secret of listening to God in every situation of life.
In 1 Samuel 23 you can read a detailed account of how David acted. The Philistines were raiding the settlement of Keilah and looting the grain, David goes in prayer to God and asks, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” v 2.
David’s companions were not so keen, they argued that they were already under pressure. How can we think of going into the midst of the Philistines? David returns to prayer and God assures him that He is placing the Philistines in David’s hand. David fought the Philistines and saved Keilah.
However, Saul heard what had happened and mustered his troops to raid Keilah and lay siege to David and his men. David turns again in prayer to God, asking practical questions, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to Saul? God answered, “They will.”
So David and about 600 men got out of Keilah, and when Saul heard that David had escaped, he called off the raid. David was living in practical every day dependance on God and being led through difficult days.
God wants you and me to live in a similar dependant way. He has given us His Spirit to guide us and give us practical wisdom. Jesus is declared to be “wiser than Solomon” and he is living in us. (Matthew 12:42) In 1 Corinthians 1:30 it says, “You are in Christ Jesus who has become for us wisdom from God.”
David and his men were hunted by Saul, but David was relying on God’s direction and wisdom, and despite all the trauma, he remained led by and kept safe by God’s guidance and care.
So how about you and me? Are you conscious of wisdom (Jesus) living in you and helping with every situation of life? He wants you to depend on Him. He wants to direct you in detail, whatever you are facing. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to listen to His voice and see him at work in every part of life.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
