If we were to do up a table, putting Saul on the left column and David on the right column, and listing down the ways they responded to situations and circumstances, it will not be difficult to see how different they are.

Saul is clearly rejecting Yahweh’s authority and refusing His call. Yahweh is silent with Saul, but the truth is, Saul often makes up his own mind before he even inquires of the Lord. Saul is dependent on rumours, his own wisdom, and whatever information he can gather from informants. He is wrongly motivated, and uses ill-advised means to make decisions.

On the contrary, David continues to make choices motivated only by loyalty and reliance on God’s strength, and is responding to God’s call. He consistently inquires of the Lord before making any important moves, and appears to be keenly aware of God’s guidance and leadership in his life. The phrase “inquired of the Lord” (verses 2 and 4) means to be asking for an oracle of God. In the background of a situation where a simple affirmative or negative response is required, David’s inquiry of the Lord shows the importance he places on hearing form the Lord.

The contrast between Saul and David showed the difference between one who is seeking to avoid God’s will and one who is seeking to perform God’s will.

David’s example of inquiring of the Lord, of relying on God for the important decisions of life, is a truth we need to learn. Throughout the bible, many have depended on receiving and acting on God’s divine guidance, and God desires to communicate with His people. Many of us today will joke that we need to “see a burning bush” to know that it is God’s revelation. Therefore, it begets the question of, “how do we discern God’s will”? The truth is, as believers of Christ, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are able to discern God’s will, and God will give wisdom generously to everyone who asks of God. How does God speak today? He speaks through Scripture. The Holy Spirit leads and guides us to understand the Word of God. While we have heard and read of many stories of divine revelation, the truth is, the only way to be sensitive to God is to read His Word. Why do we desire to hear from Him when we don’t read the Word through which He speaks? How do we hear God if we do not hear from him daily through the revealed Word of God – the Bible?

Dear brothers and sisters, all of us want to be at the center of God’s will, and want to do things according to His will. But how many of us are willing to spend time reading His Word, not just devotionals written by pastors, daily, thinking and reflecting on God’s Word? Would you be willing to commit to reading the bible daily?

Prayer : Dear God, thank you for your gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, thank you for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so that I may be helped to know You more intimately. Help me Lord, to commit to reading your Word daily, so that I may know you more and to be deeper in love with you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.