The Importance Of Asking Counsel From God

ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES

The Importance Of Asking Counsel From God

Text: I Chronicles 14:8-17 IBCWPM September 5, 2007

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

Asking counsel from God before we carry out our plans is a wise move. We must keep in mind that God is omniscient and He knows and gives the best to those who trust Him wholeheartedly. Every time we come to Him for guidance, it reveals our deep acknowledgement of His trustworthiness. Trusting God is a sure way to success.

It is common for a man to plan things without seeking God’s help and then carry out his plan the way he wants it; but when something goes wrong later, then that’s the only time he will come to the Lord for help. Many are not aware, but such practice is not pleasing to God, and through the ages, it had led countless people to heart-breaking failures.

Seeking advice from God should be delightful on our part because it gives delight to the Lord. It is a good manifestation of our faith in Him, and we know that without faith, we cannot please Him. In Psalm 37:4-6, it is written, Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (KJV) He who considers and applies these verses in his daily life will surely be blest by the Lord.

David was a man who learned to enquire from God and he experienced the mighty working of the Lord in his life. In I Chronicles 14:8-10, it is written, And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. (KJV) May we truly realize the importance and blessings of enquiring from God every time we are excited to plan and do things for the glory of God.

(I) The Strengthening Word From God

I Chronicles 14:8-12

-The promise of God

Every time we come before God and ask counsel, we are strengthened by His Word and become confident of His guiding presence upon our lives. The hope-giving promises of God revive us in times of uncertainties.

In I Chronicles 14:10, it is written, And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. (KJV) In this passage, we could see the strengthening promise of God to David. God assured David of his victory over the Philistines and it was fulfilled marvelously.

Asking counsel from God and standing on His promises truly lead a believer to a victorious life.

(II) The Needed Warning From God

I Chronicles 14:13-14

-Be sensitive to God’s warning

A person who ignores warning is not wise. He will become an easy victim of pride and destruction. Warnings especially those that come from God, will surely protect people from harm and danger. When we ask counsel from God, we should not only stand on His promises, but take heed of His warnings as well.

David was warned of God not to go up after the Philistines and he considered the warning and carefully followed God’s instructions. In I Chronicles 14:13-14, it is written, And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. (KJV) What a blessing to have a caring God who warns and gives us instructions during crucial moments so we may not be led to tear-jerking blunder.

Be sensitive to God’s warning so you may be delivered from the attacks of the devil. In James 4:7, it says, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)

(III) The Important Instructions From God

I Chronicles 14:14-15

The blessings of getting instructions from God are yet to be realized by many people. God wants us to be saved from evil and to be blessed by His loving hands, but without paying attention to His warnings and instructions, we will never experience such wonderful deliverance and blessings.

-The right direction

“turn away from them”

Proud people who reject God’s direction will never attain true success. Getting direction from God is a special privilege of believers that which should not be overlooked. David received direction from the Lord and the result was amazing.

-The right place

“come upon them over against the mulberry trees”

The best place for us to go is the place where God wants us to be. We must keep in mind that the safest place for us is in the center of God’s will. We must be sensitive to the leading of the Lord for our lives because following His blessed plan will surely pave our way to God-glorifying success.

-The right timing

“when thou shalt hear a sound”

God’s timing is the perfect timing. David carefully followed God’s instruction and waited for His signal to move and fight the Philistines and as a result, David gained the respect of all nations. In I Chronicles 14:15, it is written, And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. (KJV) Beyond doubt, sensitivity toward God’s Word brings forth blessings.

-The right action

“then thou shalt go out to battle”

If we only follow wholly what God wants us to do, it will surely surprise us of what God can do through our lives. David carefully followed the instruction of the Lord and he was assured of God’s presence. By burning the gods of his enemies, he showed to the world that false gods are nothing but vanity and works of sinful men.

In I Chronicles 14:11-12, it is written, So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim. And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. (KJV) What an undeniable evidence that false gods cannot save their worshippers and that only God is all-powerful who can help those who put their trust in Him.

David trusted the Lord and did what God commanded him to do and they conquered their enemies in a humiliating way. In I Chronicles 14:16, it says, David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. (KJV) Obey God’s counsel and be on the winning side.

(IV) The Blessings Of Obeying God’s Counsel

I Chronicles 14:16-17

-Notable victory

-God’s undeniable working

Obedience to God’s counsel led David to a notable victory over the Philistines. His victory was a great working of God. In I Chronicles 14:17, it is written, And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations. (KJV) David and his God-glorifying deeds become the talk of the people in Israel and in all nations because God was with him.

May we learn many essential things from David’s attitude in asking counsel from God especially during crucial moments. Be sensitive toward God’s direction, the right place where He wants you to stay, His perfect timing and the job He wants you to do. Sensitivity to such important things will give us an opportunity to exalt the Living God and to lead more souls to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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