Hope Listens for the Lord

Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” 1 Samuel 30:7-8

David took the time to inquire of the Lord. This was something he did seven times in 1 and 2 Samuel. It was the characteristic that made him “a man after God’s own heart.” When we “wait on the Lord” we inquire of Him, we ask Him what our next step is to be.

We can live solely on principles, but we really shouldn’t be that limited. The written word of God has principles for us to live out. When we work out it’s implication into every area of our life we are in good stead. The problem with only living on principles is that doing so is not part of the principles the Bible teaches us.

What do I mean by that?

Jesus only did what He saw the Father do (John 6:38) and only said what He heard the Father say (John 12:49-50). We need to do the same. That means the principle is to wait for the command.

In David’s case the principle was to be at war with the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15-16), but He inquired of the Lord and got the command – pursue them! It was instructions for what to do right now.

We need principles to live by, but to live the life of the Spirit – which is the life full of hope, we need to wait for the commands.