There have been so many times in my personal life, my marriage and my church life when I have got things right and things utterly wrong.

Not so many years ago we had a known evangelist come into town. The publicity of the tour was impressive, the salvations on previous occasions also impressive. I booked the biggest hall, invited as many as I could. I spent very precious money, I did not fill the hall, I upset a lot of the local church leaders and it was difficult to squeeze out a salvation. It was not the evangelist that was the problem, it was me. My seeking God for guidance was non-existent. It’s hard to admit you are wrong, very humbling. Yet there are many that could be released from the bondage of a situation by a simple confession. “I or we got it wrong.”

We are going to look at two situations, one where David seeks guidance from God and another where he forgets to. They are in scripture not for us to congratulate and gloat over David but rather for us to learn from. (2 Samuel 5:22-6:11)

Firstly when David sought God’s guidance. The Philistines plan is to try and destroy David before his kingship is established (5:22). David enquires of the Lord.

And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 2 Samuel 5:23.

He did not assume that he knew what to do despite battles with the Philistines having happened before. What God did last time, he may not do this time, and this time God told David to attack from the rear.

To begin with he had to wait. The Philistine army was much bigger than before, and a victory based on numbers was unlikely. David was to wait behind some balsam trees. To begin with it’s not the best of trees to hide an army behind so will require obedience and divine intervention.

At the right time God will send a wind, the wind in the leaves in the trees will sound like a huge army marching (really, come on, leaves waggling don’t sound like an army, more divine intervention).

And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. 2 Samuel 5:25

Sounds so simple, ask God for guidance, be obedient to what he tells you, expect divine intervention. Why oh why is this such a challenge to me?

Secondly, David had overcome the Philistines and decides the Ark of God should be bought back to Jerusalem. The Ark symbolised the presence of God. For a description you can have a look at Exodus 25: 10-22.

It was right  that David should want the presence of God to be at the centre of Jerusalem, but the law stated how the Ark was to be carried, no one was ever to look into it, to do so invited death.

So David gathers his men with clear instructions (2 Samuel 6:1-4).

The instructions were logical. David was a soldier. I will send my men for this task, they are able and if there is a problem they can easily deal with it. The problem is that logical is not always right.

David had not asked God for guidance, he also neglected the Mosaic law concerning the Ark (Numbers 4). The Ark should be covered from view, it should not be touched. It should only be carried by the sons of Korah and not by soldiers.

David did not enquire of God and neglected the law. The cost had a knock-on effect which all mistakes do. Uzzah touches the Ark as the oxen pulling it stumble. The Lord is angry and strikes down Uzzah, David gets angry with God wrongly.

The whole thing that was meant to be a time of great joy had turned out to be a catastrophic mess because of David.

Two situations, one a great victory, one a great mess, all stemming from David asking and not asking God for guidance.

It is right that we should include God in all our decision making, don’t just follow logic, admit you need help and ask for help.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

If you have made mistakes, own up to them, confess them, acknowledge them, repent of your foolishness. Be honest with yourselves about the knock-on effect.

Check your guidance against the word of God, check the consequences against the word of God. Do what David didn’t.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

James 3:13-18

Father, help me to learn from the good and bad examples of David. Amen.