Praying Instead Of Complaining
David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue; for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue. – 1 Samuel 30:8
What is the first thing you do when you experience loss? Do you question God? Do you get frustrated, angry, and confused? Do you act on this anger and frustration? It’s important for us to examine how we act and react to situations where we lose things, people, or opportunities we really care about.
The Bible says that after David had experienced great loss in 1 Samuel 30, he inquired of the Lord, then he received the ephod. When his enemies thought he was out of options, he worshipped and he prayed. His first reaction was to talk to his Heavenly Father.
Furthermore, David did not insult God by asking why he was going through what he was going through. Rather he consulted God, asking how he was to get through what he was going through.
What would it look like for us to have the same posture that David had? Instead of immediately questioning God when things turn out differently than what we wanted them to, what if we asked God for wisdom, guidance, and help as we navigate these unforeseen circumstances? I have no doubt we would be amazed if we shifted our posture from worry to worship, and if we decided that praying was a better course of action than complaining.
After all, faith in God is not an inoculation against trouble; it’s an insurance in trouble. We are not immune to loss and struggle just because we are followers of Jesus. But because we are followers of Jesus, we can have peace, comfort, and direction in the midst of loss and struggle, if we will just choose to go the Lord in prayer and worship first when these hard times come our way.
What is the first thing you do when you experience loss? Do you question God? Do you get frustrated, angry, and confused? Do you act on this anger and frustration? It’s important for us to examine how we act and react to situations where we lose things, people, or opportunities we really care about.
The Bible says that after David had experienced great loss in 1 Samuel 30, he inquired of the Lord, then he received the ephod. When his enemies thought he was out of options, he worshipped and he prayed. His first reaction was to talk to his Heavenly Father.
Furthermore, David did not insult God by asking why he was going through what he was going through. Rather he consulted God, asking how he was to get through what he was going through.
What would it look like for us to have the same posture that David had? Instead of immediately questioning God when things turn out differently than what we wanted them to, what if we asked God for wisdom, guidance, and help as we navigate these unforeseen circumstances? I have no doubt we would be amazed if we shifted our posture from worry to worship, and if we decided that praying was a better course of action than complaining.
After all, faith in God is not an inoculation against trouble; it’s an insurance in trouble. We are not immune to loss and struggle just because we are followers of Jesus. But because we are followers of Jesus, we can have peace, comfort, and direction in the midst of loss and struggle, if we will just choose to go the Lord in prayer and worship first when these hard times come our way.
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