And David enquired of the Lord. 2 Samuel 5:23
and gained a signal victory.
The Philistines came up in great hosts, but, by the help
of God, David had easily put them to flight.
Note, however, that when
they came a second time, David did not go up to fight them without
enquiring of the Lord. Once he had been victorious, and he might have
said, as many have in other cases, "I shall be victorious again; I may
rest quite sure that if I have conquered once I shall triumph yet again.
Wherefore should I tarry to seek at the Lord's hands?"
Not so, David.
He had gained one battle by the strength of the Lord; he would not
venture upon another until he had ensured the same. He enquired, "Shall I
go up against them?" He waited until God's sign was given.
Learn from
David to take no step without God. Christian, if thou wouldst know the
path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship
through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty.
Many a rock might be escaped, if we would let our Father take the helm;
many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid, if we would leave to His
sovereign will to choose and to command.
The Puritan said, "As sure as
ever a Christian carves for himself, he'll cut his own fingers;" this is
a great truth."
Charles Spurgeon