David inquired of the Lord. Are you inquiring of the Lord?Some years ago a young man approached the foreman of a logging crew and asked for a job. "That depends," replied the foreman. "Let’s see you fell this tree." The young man stepped forward and skillfully felled a great tree. Impressed, the foreman exclaimed, "Start Monday!" Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by, and Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your paycheck on the way out today." Startled, he replied, "I thought you paid on Friday." "Normally we do," answered the foreman, "but we’re letting you go today because you’ve fallen behind. Our daily felling charts show that you’ve dropped from first place on Monday to last on Wednesday." "But I’m a hard worker," the young man objected. "I arrive first, leave last, and even have worked through my coffee breaks!" The foreman, sensing the boy’s integrity thought for a minute and then asked, "Have you been sharpening your axe?" The young man replied, "I’ve been working too hard to take the time."
1 Chronicles 14
8 Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” 11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12 And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. 13 Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. 14 Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. 15 And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17 Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
· When problems arise seek God’s direction - · Problems require us to seek God’s direction
Before David attacked the Philistines he stopped and asked for God’s direction and was seeking guidance in two critical areas.· Shall I attack?· Will you hand them to me?
· We need to continually seek God’s direction
· When God gives His direction, follow it- Example- An old sailor got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it। The next time he went out in his boat, he followed the advice and took the compass with him. But as usual he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally he was rescued by his friends.Disgusted and impatient with him, they asked, “Why didn’t you use that compass we gave you? You could have saved us a lot of trouble!” The sailor responded, “I didn’t dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kep on pointing southeast.”That old sailor was so certain he knew which way was north that he stubbornly tired to force his own personal persuasioin on his compass. Unable to do so, he tossed it aside as worthless and failed to benefit from the guidance it offered.”
1 Chronicles 14
8 Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” 11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12 And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. 13 Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. 14 Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. 15 And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17 Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
· When problems arise seek God’s direction - · Problems require us to seek God’s direction
Before David attacked the Philistines he stopped and asked for God’s direction and was seeking guidance in two critical areas.· Shall I attack?· Will you hand them to me?
· We need to continually seek God’s direction
· When God gives His direction, follow it- Example- An old sailor got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it। The next time he went out in his boat, he followed the advice and took the compass with him. But as usual he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally he was rescued by his friends.Disgusted and impatient with him, they asked, “Why didn’t you use that compass we gave you? You could have saved us a lot of trouble!” The sailor responded, “I didn’t dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kep on pointing southeast.”That old sailor was so certain he knew which way was north that he stubbornly tired to force his own personal persuasioin on his compass. Unable to do so, he tossed it aside as worthless and failed to benefit from the guidance it offered.”
Proverbs 14:12There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Prov 3 :5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
· When God directs the plan never fails.
· What would have happened if David had done things his way during the second attack?
· God works in different ways.
· If you want to see God’s power flow into your life, you need to follow David’s foolproof plan for victory.1. When a problem comes up seek God first2. When God gives you definite direction, follow it3. When God breaks out give Him credit
Humility- Today, in the world and in the church, there is a unity crisis because there is a great scarcity of humility, and an over-abundance of pride everywhere we turn. Fewer and fewer people are willing to take orders. We see more and more wars for independence and new countries born. There are more and more broken marriages and fewer and fewer that get to the "until death do us part." It is hard to get people to work together when neither the leaders nor the followers are humble. Every man does what is right in his own eyes.
Prov 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Prov 16:18- Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
What does it mean to be humble? One dictionary defines it as, "having or showing a sense of lowliness or inferiority." The most common Greek words used in the New Testament are: tapeinos - low, lowly (James 4:6-6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”,
Greek word- charis -Pronunciation- khä'-rēs
1)of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
2) what is due to grace
a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward.
I Pet. 5:5-5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”)tapeinoo - to make low (Mat. 18:4-Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.,
Mt23:12-And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.,
II Cor. 12:21-lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.)tapeinomai - to make oneself low (Phil 2:8, James 4:10, I Pet. 5:6)tapeinophros- lowliness of mind (Col. 2:18, 2:23, Acts 20:19)
Humility is not becoming conscious of self but of God and others.- 2 Samuel 6:22And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”
Humility is a most strange thing. The moment that you think you have acquired it is just the moment you have lost it.
Bernard Meltzer
Humility is nothing but truth, while pride is nothing but lying.
Vincent De Paul
-We try to fit God in a box according to our convenience.
God is God and He has not applied for the job.
What God has said about humility ?For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt 23:12.For this is what the high and lofty one says -- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15
It was John Riskin who said, "I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own power, or hesitation in speaking his opinion. But really great men have a ... feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them; that they could not do or be anything else than God made them." Andrew Murray said, "The humble man feels no jealousy or envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear others praised while he is forgotten because ... he has received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honor. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ he has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and humility." M.R. De Haan used to say, "Humility is something we should constantly pray for, yet never thank God that we have."
I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9
I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8
I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
Ø Breakthrough- Vs. 11.
Ø Angel of the Lord- Psalm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
2 Kings 19:35[ Sennacherib’s Defeat and Death ] And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. - Jesus- Legion of Angels.
Prov 3 :5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
· When God directs the plan never fails.
· What would have happened if David had done things his way during the second attack?
· God works in different ways.
· If you want to see God’s power flow into your life, you need to follow David’s foolproof plan for victory.1. When a problem comes up seek God first2. When God gives you definite direction, follow it3. When God breaks out give Him credit
Humility- Today, in the world and in the church, there is a unity crisis because there is a great scarcity of humility, and an over-abundance of pride everywhere we turn. Fewer and fewer people are willing to take orders. We see more and more wars for independence and new countries born. There are more and more broken marriages and fewer and fewer that get to the "until death do us part." It is hard to get people to work together when neither the leaders nor the followers are humble. Every man does what is right in his own eyes.
Prov 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Prov 16:18- Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
What does it mean to be humble? One dictionary defines it as, "having or showing a sense of lowliness or inferiority." The most common Greek words used in the New Testament are: tapeinos - low, lowly (James 4:6-6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”,
Greek word- charis -Pronunciation- khä'-rēs
1)of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
2) what is due to grace
a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward.
I Pet. 5:5-5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”)tapeinoo - to make low (Mat. 18:4-Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.,
Mt23:12-And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.,
II Cor. 12:21-lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.)tapeinomai - to make oneself low (Phil 2:8, James 4:10, I Pet. 5:6)tapeinophros- lowliness of mind (Col. 2:18, 2:23, Acts 20:19)
Humility is not becoming conscious of self but of God and others.- 2 Samuel 6:22And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”
Humility is a most strange thing. The moment that you think you have acquired it is just the moment you have lost it.
Bernard Meltzer
Humility is nothing but truth, while pride is nothing but lying.
Vincent De Paul
-We try to fit God in a box according to our convenience.
God is God and He has not applied for the job.
What God has said about humility ?For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt 23:12.For this is what the high and lofty one says -- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15
It was John Riskin who said, "I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own power, or hesitation in speaking his opinion. But really great men have a ... feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them; that they could not do or be anything else than God made them." Andrew Murray said, "The humble man feels no jealousy or envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear others praised while he is forgotten because ... he has received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honor. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ he has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and humility." M.R. De Haan used to say, "Humility is something we should constantly pray for, yet never thank God that we have."
I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9
I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8
I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
Ø Breakthrough- Vs. 11.
Ø Angel of the Lord- Psalm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
2 Kings 19:35[ Sennacherib’s Defeat and Death ] And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. - Jesus- Legion of Angels.
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