OUR DAILY BREAD : PRAY FIRST

[cimi]

MONDAY APRIL 13

PRAY FIRST

READ
1 Samuel 23:2
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When my husband and I supervise our son's piano practice sessions, we begin by asking God to help us. We pray first because neither my husband nor I know how to play the instrument. Together, all three of us are coming to understand musical mysteries such as the meaning of "staccato" and "legato" and when to use the piano's black keys.

Prayer becomes a priority when we realize that we need God's help. David needed God's assistance in a dangerous situation as he considered fighting the Philistines in the city of Keilah. Before engaging in battle, "David inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" (1 SAM. 23:2). God gave His approval. However, David's men admitted that the enemy forces intimidated them. Before a single sword was lifted against the Philistines, David prayed again. God promised him the victory he later claimed (v.4).

Does prayer guide our lives, or is it our last resort when trouble strikes? We sometimes fall into the habit of making plans and then asking God to bless them, or praying only in moments of desperation. God does want us to turn to Him in moments of need. But He also wants us to remember that we need Him all the time (PROV 35-6).

**Dear God, please guide me as I walk through this life. Help me not to act
only by my own wisdom, but to seek Your will in every situation. ___________________

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*************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 samuel 23:1-5**********************
1 Then they told David, saying, "Look, the Philistines
are fighting agains Keilah, and they are robbing the
threshing floors." 2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD,
saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?"

4 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." 5 and David and his
men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck
them with a might blow, and took away their livestock. So
David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In today's passage we are told twice that David
"Inquired of the LORD" (vv. 2,4), but we are not told how he sought
out God's will. Some say David himself was the prophetic voice
(2 SAM. 23:2), ACTS 4:25) or that he cast lots since the Lord directed the
lots (PROV. 16:33). He may have simply petitioned God in prayer with
an open heart.