David enquired of the Lord. He didn't just pray a prayer; he expected God to actually speak to him, and direct him. He expected that God would show him what He wanted to do and give him the plan for it. One thing is consistent in David’s life - he enquired of the Lord. He didn't just go and pray. He didn't just tell God what his problems were. He asked questions, with the expectation that God would speak back to him.
Many times, in our prayer life, we tend to pray to God, or commit things to Him, but we never stop and take time to wait quietly, and in a still place, until you can hear His voice. He is interested in the affairs of your life. He's interested in the struggles you have. He's interested in the decisions you need to make; but He wants to give you confidence in making those decisions, by speaking to you. But you've got to take time to listen.
We tend to just talk at God, and not take the time to just stop and ask: Lord, what do You want me to do? What should I do? I can remember being at a crossroads in my life and asking the Lord what I should do - and He replied. How did He reply? I just spent time reading the scripture, and a scripture lit up to me - and it was like a direct answer to the question. God can speak to you, just by raising a scripture up, and you just know that it’s a clear word and answer from the Lord. Or, He may just speak into your heart, and as you wait on Him, He begins to talk to you, and tell what He wants.
Many Christians tend to approach their walk with God: here's my plan Lord, bless my plan. It's true that we should plan, but it's also true we need to come with our plans before the Lord and ask Him. God had a plan for David, to make him a king. David's question is this: should I arise and seize this now, or what would You have me do? What do You want me to do?
The Lord said to him: I don't want you to be the king over the nation right now. I want you just to take one little bit and grow one little bit. Isn't that interesting - we tend to want to take on the whole world, but God will just take us bit by bit. He said: take one tribe, the tribe of Judah - the tribe of praise, and the place of origin, where you come from. Begin to work in that area first.
He was able to resist pressures, because he listened to the Lord. When you look at David in battle, before he went to a battle… Lord, what do I do? How do You want me to approach this?
If you lack wisdom for decisions, ask the Lord to show you. Then, take enough time, that you can wait on Him to give you an answer. What happens is, we pray and go - and just do what we were going to do anyway; rather than pray, and then give God room to give you an answer. It may take a couple of days; it may take a little longer. Give God room to give you an answer.
Many times, people have come to me, and they've asked about this and that - and I see they've already made up their minds. I just say: it's okay, go do it then, because they've already made their mind up. They haven't come for any counsel, or any advice; or to ask what God really wants. They’ve made up their mind, and just want me to agree with them. How much different it is, if a person comes, and they lay their plans down, saying: I'm feeling this - what do you feel about this? What do you think about this?
One of the ways God talks to us, is directly. Another way He talks, is through the counsel of people who have wisdom. If you have something you're wanting to do, why don't you talk to someone who's a Christian, or has some experience behind them, who is successful in that area, and ask them to give you advice and counsel? Ask someone to show you what to do; to help you with your decision. You may have the broad plan: this is where I want to go; but I need someone to help me with those decisions.