1 Chronicles 14:14-15 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. 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.

Good day to you my dear friend in Christ. Come see the blessed wisdom of looking to the Lord for guidance and counsel in all of life. It is our brother David in the midst of the front line of warfare with his enemies. The Philistines are roaring and roaming about to and fro seeking to devour the people of God. They are very bold in their attacks upon those in the army of the living God.

Let us see our adversaries of spiritual wickedness in heavenly places and their enmity against all those united to Christ in faith. We have peace with God through Jesus but have been called to fight a good fight in our battles of this life. Oh my dear friend, have you been fighting against flesh and blood? Do you feel as if you are threatened each day by making not the right decisions? David understood that there can be devastating consequences when lacking wisdom.

Observe that David enquired of God again. It was a good habit to inquire of God for wisdom before speaking or acting. Many of our problems exist and remain when they have not been properly bathed in prayer. Many wounds could have been avoided if prayers where made more important then the action. There are times when we lack wisdom because we did not ask. How can we expect to fight well if we cut off the line of regular communication with the Captain of our army? A wise man would rather make one decision with much prayer then many decisions with only one prayer!

Notice that David persevered in his prayers as if God did not give an answer immediately "David inquired again". The Lord hears all the prayers of his children but his most often reply is "wait to act". His silence does not mean that he is not concerned. His silence means that he wants us to slow down and pray more. His silence is a desire to grow patience in us. His silence should deepen our dependence upon Him. Do not go to battle now but wait. Do not go into battle in the way in which you were thinking. Wait and pray for the Lord to lead you into battle. Stay behind him in prayer without moving forward in front of him too fast.

There are times when it is better to turn away from direct confrontation. The Lord told David "Go not up after them". Do not approach your troubles from that angle. It may seem obvious to you but the Lord may have wisdom for another direction. The battle belongs to the Lord and he knows how best to fight. Allow God to lead and go before thee. Seek to be led by the Spirit of your Good Shepherd and you will find yourself beside quiet waters and green pastures. In all your ways acknowledge him with constant prayer and he will direct your path.

He who began that good work has promised to perfect and complete it. He will never leave you so do not leave him in faith. He will never forsake you so do not forsake your prayers to him. He will give the good gift of wisdom to those who enquire again and again. Wait and pray with expectant ears and you will hear the Lord's direction.