Morning, February 9
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
2 Samuel 5:23
"And David enquired of the Lord."
2 Samuel 5:23
When David made this enquiry he had just fought the Philistines, and
gained a signal victory. The Philistines came up in great hosts, but,
by the help of God, David had easily put them to flight. Note, however,
that when they came a second time, David did not go up to fight them
without enquiring of the Lord. Once he had been victorious, and he
might have said, as many have in other cases, "I shall be victorious
again; I may rest quite sure that if I have conquered once I shall
triumph yet again. Wherefore should I tarry to seek at the Lord's
hands?" Not so, David. He had gained one battle by the strength of the
Lord; he would not venture upon another until he had ensured the same.
He enquired, "Shall I go up against them?" He waited until God's sign
was given. Learn from David to take no step without God. Christian, if
thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou
wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into
the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped, if we would let
our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well
avoid, if we would leave to his sovereign will to choose and to
command. The Puritan said, "As sure as ever a Christian carves for
himself, he'll cut his own fingers;" this is a great truth. Said
another old divine, "He that goes before the cloud of God's providence
goes on a fool's errand;" and so he does. We must mark God's providence
leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes. He
who goes before providence, will be very glad to run back again. "I
will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go," is
God's promise to his people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to
him, and say, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Leave not thy
chamber this morning without enquiring of the Lord.