June 29, 2022
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” (1 Kings 22:5)
We are faced each day with dozens of decisions. Some are routine: What do I put on? What time will I head to work or school? What route will I take to my destination?
But other decisions carry even more weight. What will I let come out of my mouth? How will I respond when I’m upset? What will I do with my possessions? How will I spend my money? How will I influence those around me?
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Your life is made by multiple decisions. So, what do you do first as you face the choices of each day? Sadly, most of us do not do what Jehoshaphat recommended. “Please inquire FIRST for the word of the LORD.” The word “first” literally means “as the day.” It could mean “today, right now.” But it also implies “for this day, in this particular moment.”
The decisions you made yesterday are not necessarily what God desires for today. So, you need to be asking God about His will for every moment, every decision, every day.
WHY GOD?
Why would inquire first for God’s opinion? There’s one primary reason: He’s God and you’re not. Contrary to what your pride says, you have a limited view, while God’s is inexhaustible. He sees your future. He sees time and eternity in the moment.
And He is perfect in His goodness. His will, Paul says in Romans 2, is “good, acceptable, and perfect (complete, lacking in nothing). To fail to pray without ceasing, looking first in every decision heavenward, is the worst kind of arrogance toward the One who made you and knows what’s best.
Try it today. Inquire first for a word from the Lord as to His will in every decision, every conversation, every step. You will find God’s kingdom coming and God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven. And you will have discovered what true life is all about.
Father, forgive me for not looking up. For my pride that is so profound that I don’t even consider what You think about most things. Thank You that You are willing to speak (and have spoken) to me, giving me everything I need to know about everything I need to know about. Give me the wisdom to inquire first for Your direction on everything.
March 29, 2023
As a pastor for the last 55 years, I have had the joy of being encouraged and blessed and prayed for by so many people. It is what carries you in your task of shepherding people. As I look back over five decades of ministry, their love has dramatically enriched my life.
But also, a pastor leads. And when anyone leads, there are almost always some who disagree.
March 28, 2023
March 27, 2023
