DCLM Higher Everyday 20 July 2023 — Divine Guidance

DCLM Higher Everyday 20 July 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Divine Guidance

Topic: Divine Guidance

Text: 2 Samuel 5:17-25

17But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

20And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

24And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded

Key Verse: “And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16).

Message

S. D. Gordon says, “It’s safe to trust God’s methods, and to go by His clock.” Life is compared to a pilgrimage or battle that is full of uncertainties. There is the Omniscient God, who alone knows the end from the beginning. His guidance is not a guess work or a trial-and-error style like that of human guides.  It is always sure even in the midst of uncertainties.

From our text David fought his battles the way God instructed him to. In each instance, he asked if he should fight or not. He followed divine instructions carefully and gave God the glory. He never lost any battle, even when he had no clue as to the path to victory. He once fed his enemy who later showed him the way to victory (1 Samuel 30:11-18).

To enjoy divine guidance a youth should avoid doing things in his or her own way and ignoring biblical advice of mature believers. To live a life of noble deeds, splendid accomplishments, purity and hope of eternal rest, one must follow God’s guidance.

Quote: Follow God’s guidance

Challenge: Follow Him who knows the way to arrive safely.

Prayer for today: Help me, Lord, to obey you, as David did.

GOSPEL REALM: STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)