David, a man after God’s own heart, always inquired from the Lord. This teaches us that we always gain by seeking His counsel and guidance.
David’s 1st Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:1-3(NLT) One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. David asked the LORD, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the LORD told him. But David’s men said, “We’re afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don’t want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!”
David had a real issue: His men were afraid to follow him. If his men were unwilling to follow him, how could he save the besieged city? His men feared being caught between the Philistines and Saul’s army. Unlike David, their eyes were not on God but on their difficult circumstances. David knew he could not make a mistake but had to obtain guidance from the Lord.
In difficult times we must seek the guidance of the Lord. The reason why so many people make the wrong choices is that they do not seek guidance from the Lord.
In Psalm 25, David asks for divine protection, guidance, and forgiveness while affirming his loyalty to and trust in the Lord. Because of God’s goodness to Israel in the past, David appeals to the Lord for wisdom and forgiveness.
Difficult times demand great faith. They also require wisdom. David understood that.
Psalm 25(AMP) To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I [have unwavering] trust [and I rely on You with steadfast confidence], Do not let me be ashamed or my hope in You be disappointed; Do not let my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, none of those who [expectantly] wait for You will be ashamed; Those who turn away from what is right and deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed (humiliated, embarrassed). Let me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long. Remember, O LORD, Your [tender] compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my wickedness and my guilt, for they are great. Who is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with submissive wonder]? He will teach him [through His word] in the way he should choose. His soul will dwell in prosperity and goodness, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret [of the wise counsel] of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning. My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will bring my feet out of the net. Turn to me [LORD] and be gracious to me, For I am alone and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are multiplied; Bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Look upon my enemies, for they are many; They hate me with cruel and violent hatred. Guard my soul and rescue me; Do not let me be ashamed or disappointed, For I have taken refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness protect me, For I wait [expectantly] for You. O God, redeem Israel, out of all his troubles.
Psalm 25 teaches us to seek God in the hard times, no matter the reason we are in difficult times. James 1:5-6 is a succinct summary of Psalm 25:
James 1:5-6(NET) But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.
The Holy Spirit will lead you to what you should do. Sometimes what you need to do is wait. Faithfully continue to seek the Lord but wait on His timing. Wait on Him to act on your behalf. Wait on Him to do what you cannot do yourself.
In the book of Isaiah, God responds to the Israelites who thought that God had turned away from them. He reminds them that He does not sleep nor take a break. He always sees them and is always working for their good.
Isaiah 40:31(ESV) but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 34:17(ESV) When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Waiting on the Lord reminds you that you are not in control. He is bigger than any of your circumstances. He will sustain you and grow your faith in the waiting. God is never neglecting your life. If He seems silent, remember His promise that He is always hearing your prayers and responding.