Today is August 17
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 5.
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 19 so David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The LORD answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
Welcome to prayer today… our scripture this morning describes King David’s reliance on God’s guidance. The refrain to notice is: ‘David inquired of the Lord…’ Take a few moments to orient yourself right now to situations in your life where you need to seek God’s guidance. What is one specific question you have to bring to the Lord today?
There’s one particular phrase in this text that stands out to me: Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them… That feels resonant to the ways that God so often leads us: not straight … but often in ways that feel circular. Listen again to the scripture and let the Lord draw your attention to a word or phrase…
Examine for a moment what your followership of God feels like: does it feel like straight path? Or like a bit of a circle? Doe you feel the Lord speaking clearly to you, as he did to David? Or are you having a difficult time discerning His voice? Take time as we end and talk to God about these things…
Music Credit:
"If You Say Go" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)
