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Cymbala, Jim - Inquiring of the Lord

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Inquiring of the Lord
by Jim Cymbala
Text: 1 Samuel 23:1–13
Topic: Why we need to inquire of the Lord
Big Idea: Inquiring of the Lord enables us to identify God's plan for our lives and experience his provision.
Keywords: Christ, as shepherd; Christ, lordship of; Faith; God; providence of; God, will of; Holy Spirit, leading; Planning; Prayer, need for; Prayer, power of; Will, human; Will, of God


Introduction:
  • 1 Samuel 23:1–2
  • The events of September 11th forced many people to think of eternity and the brevity of life.
    -Proverbs 27:1
  • The question is: How do we figure out what God wants us to do?
God has a plan for our lives.
  • When David heard that Keilah was under attack, he could have ignored the situation because he was being pursued by Saul.
  • David also could have rushed in to deal with the problem because he viewed himself as God's anointed and assumed he couldn't fail.
  • Instead, David went to God and asked, "God, should I at this moment in my life go and attempt to save Keilah and attack the Philistines?"
  • We are responsible to follow God's plan for our lives in the same way that a bondservant obeys his or her master.
    -Romans 1:1; Hebrews 10:7
God uses the Holy Spirit to reveal his plan for our lives.
  • The Bible is primarily a rule for our morals and our doctrine; it does not tell us many things that are critical to our lives.
    -Illustration: Cymbala's staff routinely faces situations that are not addressed in Scripture, for example: finding a suitable building, dealing with HIV patients, and finding a spouse.
  • All through the Old Testament you find that whenever David was at his best, he was inquiring of the Lord.
  • The will of God can only be known through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
  • Acts 16:6–10
  • Illustration: Cymbala recounts several instances that he could not face as a pastor without the leading of the Holy Spirit, including gang violence and financing a building in the middle of downtown New York City.
When we follow God's plan, he will supply our needs.
  • Wherever God leads you, God is under covenant to supply what you need.
  • When we stray out from under the umbrella of God's plan, we are leaving his provision also.
  • Christians must allow their ministries to remain flexible to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
  • Remember that God has a specific plan for your specific situation.
  • David was able to rescue the town of Keilah, and escape Saul afterward, because he inquired of the Lord.
  • Whatever problem you are facing now, ask the Lord what he wants you to do.
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