SCRIPTURE:
9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”
11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.
13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him.
1 Chronicles 14:9-17
OBSERVATION:
Did you know that there are over 16 billion Google searches made every day? This equates to nearly 6 million searches every minute, 1 billion searches per day in the US alone, and 2 trillion searches annually. That’s a lot of searches! Every second, people from all over the world across every single time zone go to Google to search for answers to their questions. When you didn’t know the answer to a question, you’ve probably gone to Google for answers too. In fact, maybe you’ve already used Google today before you got to this webpage. In any case, where we choose to go for answers to our daily questions shows whom we trust and whom we view as knowledgeable.
Do you know where David went when He had questions? He didn’t go to Google––He went directly to God. When he was about to lead the Israelites into a contentious war with the Philistines, he did not go to his strongest soldier. He didn’t seek counsel from a military strategist. He didn’t even go to his team of generals and commanders. No. He “inquired of God” (1 Chronicles 14:10). He asked God for help. And do you know what God did? God answered. God gave David answers to his questions, and David followed suit.
Then, when God’s prior answers did not answer David’s current questions, guess what David did? He “inquired of God again, and God answered him” again (1 Chronicles 14:14). Most importantly, when God spoke, David followed His every word, exactly. And because he did, David did not only lead his nation to victory; “David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him.” (1 Chronicles 14:17)
APPLICATION:
When you’re faced with life’s greatest questions, where do you go for answers? Do you go to a trusted friend? A loving family member? Do you go to Google? If so, I’m not saying that’s bad; I’m saying there’s better. When “life happens” and you’re faced with a situation in which you don’t know what to do, like David, go directly to God.
Through prayer, you have a direct line to the Creator of the universe––the one who knows all, sees all, and loves all. As God promises in Jeremiah 29:12-13, “12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” When you pray and inquire of God with all your heart, He will answer you and give you an answer much better and much more reliable than Google, or any person for that matter, will ever be able to give you.
Jesus not only has all the answers––Jesus is the answer. Like the old tune goes, “Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him, there’s no other. Jesus is the way.” If you’re faced with one of life’s greatest questions, know that you not only have access to the One who has the answers; you have access to the One who is the answer. Stop searching for answers anywhere else. Like David, inquire of God, and He will answer. He’s better than Google.
PRAYER:
Jesus,
You are the answer for the world today! And thank You that when we call, You promise to answer. Today, would you hear us from heaven, and would You show us the answers to the greatest questions in our life. Lord, would you speak? We are listening, and we will wait upon you. Thank You that You love us, and thank You that You will answer. Speak, Lord––your servants are listening.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
