Wise Walk Way
Make prayer your permanent posture and inquire of the Almighty at all times. Fix your gaze on Jesus and He will light your path.
“When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” When David learned that Saul was plotting against him…David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will.”1 Samuel 23:1-11
Any time you see repeated patterns in scripture you should pause and consider how the repetition can light your road. David demonstrated a pattern of one type of prayer that is not as common as it could be. He demonstrated listening prayer. Throughout this chapter, the text says that David inquired of the Lord and the Lord answered.
David was a mighty man of God with many tasks each day, yet he created margin to seek and inquire of the Lord. Balancing the busyness of life was as part of the ancient world as it is today. How good are you at creating margin and making sure to talk to God before you decide what to do?
How could hearing from God change your life? Do you want to hear from God or do you want Him to simply rubber stamp the plans you already have? Are you a good listener? Do you find that others come to you to share and seek counsel? How often do you practice listening prayer? Do you have a continual conversation going with Christ? How well can you hear his voice?
There is a difference between going to God to ask what He thinks and going to God with a heart that says you will not act until you receive the guidance you need from Him. What is your heart posture? Are you in a hurry when you are hoping to hear from God? Or are you steadfast and committed to staying close to him until He speaks? Will you follow even if His response is counterintuitive or challenging?
Jesus told a very similar parable in Matthew 11 where He talked about the persistent widow and the persistent neighbor. In both situations, Jesus praised the person who was persistent in prayer. The enemy wants you to give up and get off track. He wants you to believe that your prayers are powerless and that God will not answer. Don’t give in! Do not let the enemy twist the truth. Jesus has promised us His presence and that He will answer our prayers.
“My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship. But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your unfailing love. While they curse, may you bless; may those who attack me be put to shame, but may your servant rejoice. With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.” Psalms 109:1-30
Jesus said in this world you will have trouble. It should come as no surprise that sinners who live in a world of sin will experience the pain of sin. Why are we surprised when others sin against us? We all fall short of the glory of God. We have been in pain like David and we have caused pain like his persecutors. The real question is what is the posture of our heart when we feel the pressures of life? How will we respond? Will we lash out, gossip, slander, and fight back? Will we add fuel to the fires of offense and lose the very freedom that Jesus desires to give us?
David had a different daily practice. There is no denying that he was very upset and with due cause. He did not deserve to be treated the way he was and neither do you when others harm you. David had already decided who his heart belonged to and it was not mankind. He says I am a man of prayer. The phrase could actually be translated I am prayer. The default setting within his heart was to drop to his knees and seek the Lord.
Is this your default? Does the AutoCorrect setting of your heart lead you to the Almighty? Rather than waging a war of words with the people who harmed him, David prayed and praised. He guarded his heart so that he would stay godly. He fixed his eyes on God and persistently prayed that the God who is always faithful would faithfully guide Him through the fire.
“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction, pay attention and gain understanding. Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her…Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked…The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. My son, pay attention…Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Proverbs 4:1-26
Have you ever driven a self driving vehicle or a newer car that has the lane safety features? The new systems are quite amazing and automatically self correct when you are getting off course. Wouldn’t it be nice if our hearts and minds had the same safety features? They can.
Solomon says that if you set your gaze upon getting wisdom from God and fix your eyes on Him that the path of your life will shine ever brighter. Consider the intentionality and active attention required to live a righteous life. Following Jesus is not a passive personal pursuit. We are not meant to be tossed up and down by the waves of the popular culture around us. Solomon says we are to be steadfast.
The temperature of the heart of one dedicated to Jesus Christ should be a thermostat not a thermometer. Jesus sets the temperature. The world around you may light in fire but we can stay cool by guarding our hearts and minds from the effects of evil. How, you might ask? The answer is simple, but not easy. Solomon says it will cost you everything you have, but you can gain the riches of glory by pursuing the wisdom that only God can give. The apostle Paul said I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ in me.
When people see you, do they see Jesus? When sin surrounds you, are you able to stay steadfast? Are you focusing on Jesus or do you say whatever you feel like? Solomon says three clear things. He says guard your heart, keep the words of your mouth clean, and fix your gaze on God. Are you putting into practice the practices that will keep you a person of prayer and praise? Are the words that come out of your mouth that reflect your heart life giving and godly?
“This is what the Lord says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people: Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear…The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear…Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples. Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty…should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn” Isaiah 8:11-20
You can see the connections between the texts today. There is a call to inquire of the Lord. He says to listen to His words and His warnings. He says that you are a sign and a symbol of the Almighty. You might be the only Bible someone ever reads. What will others learn about Jesus by your words and actions? How well are you reflecting Him?
There is a clear contrast between the ways and words of the world and the ways and words of God. God says do not be a conspiracy theorist nor a person afraid of all the things the world fears. Have you allowed yourself to fall into the foolish trap of fearing what the world fears? It is so easy to allow your heart to become fearful when you read what is written by the media.
Are you guarding your heart so that you do not fill the tanks of your heart with fear? You can only give others what you have. If you do not have peace, you cannot give it. It is easy to justify your own actions by thinking you need to keep up-to-date on current events and that may be true as long as you seek God more than you spend time worrying about the world, what others have done, or what might happen tomorrow.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God…On each side of the river stood the tree of life…And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night…”Look, I am coming soon! …Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End…Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life…Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Revelation 22:1-21
Three times Jesus says to us I am coming soon. Is that an accident or a holy way of calling you into a restored relationship like the apostle Peter. The New Testament ends with a promise that Jesus is coming. He comes bringing life and healing to all who will receive Him. Where do you need life? Where do you need healing? Do you know anyone else in your life who could use life and healing? The text says that the name of Jesus will be written on the foreheads of those who follow Him. People should be able to see Jesus in you.
Jesus issues a clear warning. Do not miss it. He says people who practice magic arts, immorality, idolatry, and deceit will not stand in the garden. Perhaps we should think about this next time we want to tell a white lie. Little lies lead to endless evil. Do any of these warnings catch your attention? Any of them hit a sensitive nerve?
In the middle of the passage is a key verse. Jesus says blessed are those who wash their robes. What does that mean to you? The phrase has a deep meaning. Jesus wants to purify your heart, mind and soul. Normally blood causes stains, but the blood of Jesus cleanses us of all impurities. If you think about the beginning of the Bible. Sin separated us, stained our lives, and has caused great suffering. But the Bible closes with Jesus closing the gap. He cleanses us from all unrighteousness that we might forever eat from the tree of life and abide in His presence.
Think of the connection to Psalm 109 and Proverbs 4 when it comes to purifying your life as you become a person of prayer. There are wise practices that we can put into place to help us walk on the path of righteousness. We do not do this in our own strength, but as sinless sons and daughters with our Savior shepherding the way. The journey will take effort and attention. We have action steps. Wisdom says guard your heart, keep your mouth clean, and fix your gaze. You should not praise God and curse others with the same lips nor should we let fear or offense fracture our faith in the Perfect Son of God.
Jesus does not expect us to be perfect as we pursue Him, but he does expect you to become a person of prayer and praise like David. He gave us a very clear command. Love God with all our heart, mind, and strength and love others as ourselves. He does not give us an out clause that we can ignore the great command if we are angry, offended, or afraid. Remember He is coming soon and always speaking. Let us live with expectation. Let us invite Jesus into everything we can in this moment. Let us build margin that He might make his home in our hearts and light up our lives with the light of his love for all eternity.