SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1188

“Shall We Go Up”

David inquired of the Lord… – 2 Samuel 5:23

David sought the Lord’s direction when the Philistines first gathered for war in the Valley of Rephaim and the Lord blessed Israel and David had a decisive victory.

The Philistines came against him a second time in the same valley and David again asked God if he should go up and fight them. This time the Lord told him ‘No’ and to wait until the Lord had gone before him to strike down the enemy. Once again, God gave David a great victory over the Philistines.

…He said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” – 2 Samuel 5:23-24

It would have been easy for David to place his confidence in the fact of his first victory and to impulsively confront the Philistines a second time without first seeking the Lord’s direction. Instead, David did not lean on his own understanding but continually came to the Lord in prayer for direction.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

When we experience success in our life pursuits, we are in danger of beginning to rely on our abilities and skills and fail to acknowledge God as the author of our success. This is a recipe for pridefulness, and it will ultimately result in sure failure.

And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today – Deuteronomy 8:10-11

The word translated “forget” from the original Hebrew text in this passage carries the meaning to abandon, ignore, or neglect. It means to stop remembering. If you reflect on your life walk with the Lord, do you notice that the times when you were more fervently in prayer were the times when you were in the greatest trials and difficulties? Spurgeon describes it this way:

The Christian far oftener disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining-pot of prosperity. – Charles Spurgeon

May you maintain your fervor and passion for the Lord always – in prosperity as well as in difficult times. May your heart not become lukewarm or cold.

…So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. – Revelation 3:15-17

May you guard your heart against the success and prosperity of this world.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16:11