Inquire of the LORD
David asks before pursuing
At Ziklag, after strengthening himself in the LORD, David did not immediately charge after the raiders who had taken everything. First he asked: David inquired of the LORD, Shall I pursue this band? Will I overtake them? And the LORD answered, Pursue, for you will surely overtake and rescue. Only then did David move. Even with the obvious course of action in front of him — pursue the raiders — he inquired first.
This was a pattern for David, who repeatedly inquired of the LORD before battles, even when the right move seemed clear. The discipline is to seek God's direction before acting, rather than assuming and charging ahead. Leaders often inquire of God only when they are uncertain; when the path seems obvious, they act without asking. David asked even about the obvious, and sometimes the answer redirected him. Inquiring of the LORD before moving — making it a habit, not just a last resort in confusion — keeps a leader's actions aligned with God's direction.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
— The teacher of Proverbs — Proverbs 3:6 (WEB)
Seek God’s direction before acting, even when the path seems obvious. Inquiring of the LORD as a habit, not a last resort, keeps a leader’s actions aligned with him.
“David inquired of the LORD, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? He answered him, Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them, and shall without fail recover all.”
David asked God even about the obvious pursuit. A leader formed here makes inquiring of God a habit before moving, not just a response to confusion. The inner work is dependence even when the answer seems clear.
Inquire of God before acting, especially when you feel certain. Build seeking his direction into your decisions as a habit. Stay open to being redirected even on the obvious course.
Leaders seek God only when uncertain and act independently when the path seems clear. The blind spot is assuming the obvious move needs no inquiry.
Take one decision that seems obvious. This week, inquire of God before acting on it, open to redirection.
Leaders inquire of God only when uncertain; when the path seems obvious, they act without asking. David inquired even about the obvious — and sometimes the answer redirected him.
Do you inquire of the LORD before you move, or only when you're already confused about what to do?