“David inquired of the Lord” (2 Samuel 5:23)

Morning devotions are the way you spiritually align yourself with God to start the day with a sense of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). You read Scripture, pray for people and situations, and discuss your concerns with God until you’re equipped to face the challenges of the day. 

 When King David inquired of the Lord, it wasn’t just to pray for people and restore a sense of God’s presence ... it was a matter of life and death. A short time before, God had granted David a great victory over the Philistines and now the enemy threatened again. Fortunately, David didn’t presume God would grant another victory, but humbly asked Him if He should attack, and waited for the answer. 

 Why do well-meaning saints get into trouble? They presume they can have success without consulting God. This is because they think God will keep them out of trouble because they’re good people; they mistakenly see God’s grace as a reward for good behavior. Good behavior can never replace seeking the will of God. Trusting in your good behavior is not trusting God. It’s not faith in God, but the idolatry of “faith in your faith”. If you think God will do something special for you because He did something special for you in the past, you’re looking at Him the way heathens look at their false gods. 

 Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39- 42) is our example for how to approach God. 1) Never presume. 2) Always ask. 3) Whether the answer is “yes” or “no”, obey Him. When you trust God’s enough to seek His will and cooperate with Him, you’ll have fewer disasters, not because He’s impressed with your obedience and changes the outcome, but because You won’t make a move unless He gives you a peace about which way to go.