Text: 2 Samuel 5:17-25
Memory verse:
“And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then, the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”
‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Sometimes ago, in the Belgian Congo, in a garden not far from a missionary’s home, a small boy played under a tree. Suddenly, the father called to him: “Philip, obey me instantly. Get down on your stomach.” The boy responded at once, and his father continued, “Now crawl toward me fast.” The boy again obeyed. After he had come about halfway, the father said, “Now stand up and run to me.” The boy reached his father and turned to look back—hanging from the branch under which he had been playing was a fifteen-foot serpent. It was the prompt action and obedience to his father’s seemingly foolish commands that saved his life!
Do you know why you should seek the Lord’s direction, follow it, and follow it promptly? Man is limited by understanding and scope, and we often make decisions based on our exposures in life. These make us prone to errors in our decision-making and expose us to dangers. This is what Jesus means here: “But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is” (Matt 6:23 NLT). Did you notice that? It means, one’s light, that is, one’s understanding, insight, and knowledge, can actually be darkness. What we think is right can be wrong; what we consider safe can be deadly, and what we assume will cause an increase can decrease us. Thus, David said, “…in Your light, we see light” and “For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness..” (Psa 36:9; 18:28). That’s why those who put their confidence in limited man are unable to discern when good comes (Jer 17:6). They miss opportunities.
Many have taken regretted marital, career, business, or ministerial decisions based on their limited perspective and human experiences.
In our text today, when the Philistines came against David, he didn’t assume to go ahead to attack until he inquired of the Lord. Even after the great breakthrough, which he called Baal Perazim, David didn’t assume to rush to attack with the Philistines’ comeback. It would have just been okay to use the same strategy that gave him such an overwhelming victory at first since they were dealing with the same enemies. Rather, he inquired again, and God gave him a different strategy (‭‭II Sam‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬). This is David’s principle: “As soon as you command, I do what you say.” (Psa 119:60).
Friends, seeking God’s direction and promptly following His instructions guarantee your fulfillment, safety, growth, peace, and prosperity in life.

Prayer points
1. Father, please help me to develop the habit of seeking Your direction before making any decision and promptly obeying Your instructions in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, please, enlighten my darkness so I won’t make the wrong life’s decisions in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. With God is the fountain of life, and in His light, I see light, so I don’t stumble.
2. I know I am limited, so I don’t trust my judgment, but I seek God’s leading and promptly follow it.