ICS Daily Devotions
Victory Is Assured the Moment God Speaks
1 Samuel 23:1-5 (NKJV) Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord once again. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
It would have been foolish for David not to make a calculated risk before launching an attack on the Philistines, and the fear of David’s men was certainly not unfounded. Thankfully, David knew the importance of seeking the Lord. In this particular case, David even sought a second confirmation from the Lord when his men raised their concern.
One must not act out of presumption based on past experience, nor should a leader bring his men into battle without calculating the cost or seeking an assurance from God. Because God had promised, God subsequently delivered them! Likewise, as the leader of the house or the head of the company, when we make a major decision, we should seek the face of God to get a personal word from Him in order to anchor our faith. It will ensure that we are immovable in the face of contrary or adverse circumstances. If God calls, God pays, but if you decide, you pay!
Hebrews 11:1(NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
When God spoke to David in response to his second enquiry that they ought to attack for He would deliver the Philistines into their hands, they were to launch the attack without concern of the size of the enemy because it would be the work of the Lord. They were to believe that they had the victory the moment God spoke. The word from God gave them the anchor to their faith despite the possible scenario where they would be caught by the pursuit of King Saul and the retaliation of the Philistines. David and his men left to conquer the Philistines in faith and confidence that God would deliver the Philistines into their hands; they acted on their faith based on the word given to them.
Likewise, we are to step out in faith without being affected by what we read, see and feel once we have taken time to seek the face of God and He has spoken to us clearly, because once God has spoken to us, He will act!
Sermon Series: From Isolation to Victory: Cave of Adullam to Keilah
