1 Chronicles 14:8-12: a reflection

8When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went out against them. 9Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to him, “Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.” 11So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like waters breaking out. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12They left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire.

When the Philistines come against the newly anointed King David, David does not simply march out in his own confidence. First he inquires of God: Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand? God answers, Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand. David goes, and wins; and notice how he describes the victory: God has broken my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood. He asked God first, and gave God the credit after.

Notice the two things David did: he inquired of God before he acted, and he credited God when he succeeded. He did not presume to go out in his own strength, but sought God's guidance first, asking whether to go and whether God would give the victory. And when the victory came, he did not credit his own skill or strength, but said, God has broken my enemies by my hand. God guided the action, and God got the credit for its success.

That is a pattern worth following in our own undertakings. We are prone to act first in our own confidence, without seeking God, and then to credit ourselves when things go well. But David inquired of God before he acted, and gave God the glory afterward. Before you undertake something, seek God's guidance, rather than simply marching out in your own confidence. And when you succeed, give God the credit, rather than taking it for yourself; it is God who gives the victory. Seek God's guidance before you act, and give him the glory for your successes, saying with David, God has done this by my hand, rather than presuming on your own strength or boasting in your own achievement.

Lord, when the Philistines came against David, he inquired of you first, asking whether to go and whether you would give the victory; and when he won, he credited you, saying, God has broken my enemies by my hand. Teach me that pattern for my own undertakings. I am prone to act first in my own confidence, without seeking you, and then to credit myself when things go well. But David inquired of you before he acted, and gave you the glory afterward. Before I undertake something, help me seek your guidance, rather than simply marching out in my own confidence. And when I succeed, help me give you the credit, rather than taking it for myself; it is you who give the victory. Help me seek your guidance before I act, and give you the glory for my successes, saying with David, God has done this by my hand, rather than presuming on my own strength or boasting in my own achievement. Guide me, and be glorified in what you accomplish through me.