A Man Totally Submitted

by Jeff Tshikudo

The Word:
"And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them. And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there. And the Philistines came up yet again. And when David inquired of the LORD." II Samuel 5:19 - 25
"The men of Israel looked them over and accepted the evidence. But they didn't ask God about it." Joshua 9: 1-15:

The Story:
It is my goal in life to be a man "after God's own heart." This year, I know God wants me to let go of my independence. As an engineer and finance professional, I am very analytical. I am paid to solve multi-million dollar problems, and my skills are perfect for my job. Yet, my own capabilities are often insufficient for making life decisions. When I look back on decisions I’ve made based on my knowledge, I’m thankful to God that those decisions didn’t come to fruition. But when I look back at the decisions I made as a result of prayer and God’s counsel, I realize God’s ways are always better.

The Reflection:
David conquered the Philistines once, so why didn’t he use the same strategy and tactics in the next battle? David (my role model) knew better and he inquired of the Lord each time he went into battle. Joshua was a man with a very impressive resume, yet on one occasion he failed to seek God's counsel. Three days later, he discovered the Gibeonites deceived him.

The Application:
To be men and women after God's own heart, we must seek God in all decisions despite how smart or qualified we may believe we are. God has shown me that His ways are always better than mine. My witty prose or thorough analysis will never surpass the Lord’s great wisdom. If I remember to consider Him in all things, remembering that He is in and before all things, God will bless my life as He sees fit.

The Prayer:
Lord, I want to be a man totally submitted to you. As I read Your Word, please remind me of the importance of seeking You in every issue, every care and in every worrisome thought.