Inquiring Of The LORD

1 Chronicles 13:1-4 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. 

Decisions, Direction, Disappointment, 

Difficulties, Depression, Discouragement, Disease

All these are times when we should inquire of the LORD.

Too often for believers they end up being times when they rely on their own understanding. I think that is one of the reasons we are told in James 5:13 "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray." When we face hardships, suffering, when we are afflicted we tend to try and figure a way out naturally.

These are times we should inquire of the LORD.  Divine Disturbances are Him seeking to get our attention. 

Failing to Acknowledge God in our lives even after He has worked wonderfully.

Psalm 106:7 When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to Your miracles; they did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. The other 9 lepers... All too often us!

What does inquiring of the LORD mean?

To seek or consult then to follow.

Neglecting to inquire of the LORD proves to be disastrous. Going out on a mission without him, seeking to lead people without heavenly direction, guidance from above is a terrible sin. Some have shipwrecked their faith by not inquiring of the LORD. Having the good hand of God upon you, as Nehemiah describes, is wonderful. 

1. Nations Should Inquire of the LORD.

Israel 

America

Britain

David led the people back to do this.

In these times, rather than relying on our own ingenuity, our nation ought to be inquiring of the LORD, asking for His Help!

*We are under a terrorist threat by ISIS. Our own mall here is a target.

*Christians are being beheaded by them now in the Middle East. 

*Our nation is now $18 trillion dollars in debt and that debt is going up at a rate of 2.38 billion dollars per day. How much longer we will go on remains to be seen. Just think if we were not in debt how much good we could do here and abroad with that money.

*A Pew Research Center study confirms one trend that has been obvious over several years. The “typical” American family is no longer typical. Just 46 percent of American children now live in homes with their married, heterosexual parents. Five percent have no parents at home. They most likely are living with grandparents, says the study.

*In the Roman Empire, the strain of tax revenues was heavily placed on those who could most influence the economy and it would have dire consequences. The economic struggles that plagued the late Imperial system coupled with the tax laws certainly played a part in the demise of the world greatest empire.

*All empires begin, writes Glubb, with the age of pioneers, followed by ages of conquest, commerce, affluence, intellect and decadence. America appears to have reached the age of decadence, which Glubb defines as marked by “defensiveness, pessimism, materialism, frivolity, an influx of foreigners, the welfare state, [and] a weakening of religion.”

Decadence, he writes, “is due to: Too long a period of wealth and power, selfishness, love of money [and] the loss of a sense of duty.”

We have moved into a time where we are getting intoxicated on parties. Excessive money being spent on things we don't even know the meaning of... Christmas, St. Patrick's Day... to name a few.

Do these not define America at the end of 2014? Glubb says the 250-year average of empires has not varied in 3,000 years, but we don’t learn from history because “our studies are brief and prejudiced.” He means they are mostly about one’s own country.

America is in deep moral and spiritual trouble today. No nation can sustain itself very long when that happens. We need to seek the LORD, consult with Him for direction. He is the only One Who can get out of this mess we are in.

This being the case...

2. Churches Ought To Be Examples of Inquiring of the LORD.

Of all places!

Matthew 21:13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 

Times for the church to gather and pray are not out of style. They never will be. In the Book of Acts, each chapter, they were either going to a prayer meeting, at a prayer meeting or coming from a prayer meeting!

Seeking God's will for their work in the community and to the uttermost part of the world should be part of every group of believers.

We ought to be continually inquiring of the LORD as we follow Him, seeking for His direction, blessing and strength.

We ought not be only asking God for things but also asking Him for direction, what to do, how to respond. 

We need to inquire of Him as we attempt to do things and as we seek to keep our integrity. Therefore

3. Believers Should Be Examples.

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

This applies to older folks to- set an example for the believers.

Live for the LORD so fully that He uses your life to make an impression on others of what it means to serve Him.

Think about people following your example in their walk with the LORD.

It is not about you. It is about everyone you have ever prayed with, each person you have shared Christ with, every soul who knows you are a Christian.

As believers we are to set an example in faith. Inquiring of the LORD is one expression of faith. Praying for Him to help us, thanking Him for answering.

KJV-1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

Be an example of the believers. Set your heart on being a strong Christian, a faithful man or woman. Give your heart fully to the LORD and His work. You won't the joy of the overflowing experience with Christ until you are over your head in serving Him. Then you will see the LORD work in incredible ways.

Don't just jump off a cliff. Rather discover where God is working and seek to join Him in serving.

Let's Inquire of the LORD! He is here to help us! We need His help!