Seek God’s Counsel

Note from today’s Bible reading: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23; 1 Chronicles 13-16

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they sent their army against him. In deciding what to do, David did not rely on his ideas or the wisdom of the men with him. Instead, he “inquired of the Lord” to see if God would “give [the Philistines] into [his] hand” (2 Samuel 5:19). God told him to go, and he “struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:25).

Unfortunately, David did not always remember to do this. When they recovered the ark, they placed it on a cart to transport it. When it became unsteady, Uzzah took hold of it, and God struck him down (2 Samuel 6:7).

Afterward, David learned how the ark was to be transported: “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever” (1 Chronicles 15:2). If God’s instructions had been consulted in the first place, Uzzah never would have touched the ark in violation of God’s law.

This provides an important lesson for us. Rather than assuming that the course of action we have decided upon is right, we need to see what God has instructed. Too often, what we think will please the Lord is not what He desires.

So seek God’s counsel. He has revealed His will to us in His word. Let us search the Scriptures to see what is right and then do it.