King David was up against a familiar foe. Years before as a young shepherd boy, he had faced down Goliath, the top Philistine warrior, by killing him with a well-placed stone (1 Sam. 17). Now David was king of Israel, and here come the Philistines again! They heard he was king, and they decided to attack (2 Sam. 5:17).

What do we do first when trouble is on the way? We could panic. We could plan. Or we could first do what David did—pray. “David inquired of the Lord” (v.19), and God guided the king.

David had to fight two battles with the Philistines—one at Baal Perazim and one at the Valley of Rephaim. It was a good thing he consulted God, because in these two battles there were two different strategies. In the first one, God won the battle with His power alone: “The Lord has broken through,” David recorded (v.20). For the next one, God gave David an action plan, and when he carried it out, the Israelites won (vv.23-25). This text gives us clues that what God has willed according to His plan works! David was smart enough to seek God for an action plan for the battle he was facing. What about you? Are you seeking God for an action plan for the battle you are facing? Sometimes your actions plans may not be working because God may have another plan.

Each day we face many challenges but God has plans to prosper us. Although there is no one-size-fits-all answer, our first action should always be to consult God. As He guides us, we can have confidence in Him. Then, whether the victory comes through His miraculous intervention or through His guidance, all the glory goes to God. To stand up to any challenge, spend time in prayer seeking God for the right answer that will lead  you to victory.

– D. Branson

Do you need God to lead you to victory? If so, join us in this simple prayer!

Heavenly Father,

I come into your presence bringing you all of the problems that you know that I need solutions to. God I do want the victory in my life and I have tried everything to obtain victory in my life and it is simply not working.I come into your presence asking you to guide me in the way that I should go. Matthew 6:33 states “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. So, I am seeking you Father and asking you to give me direction for my life that will lead to victory. I want the abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10 which stated,  “I have come to give you life, and to give you life more abundantly”. I do want to work with you Father to obtain victory in my life, so I shall wait upon you to answer my prayers. – Amen