What to do when Trouble comes looking for you?

2nd Samuel 5:17-25 (NIV)

David Defeats the Philistines

¹⁷ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. ¹⁸ Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ¹⁹ so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
²⁰ So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. ²¹ The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
²² Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ²³ so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. ²⁴ As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” ²⁵ So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Years after David defeated Goliath, the Philistine people still remember his name and when David becomes king trouble comes looking for him. There will be times in our lives when we are happy and content minding our own business when trouble comes looking for us. Today's text taken from 2nd Samuel gives us insight on what to do when trouble comes looking for us.  The first thing that David does is ask God in prayer and ask what to do vs19.  The second thing David does is to follow the directions of God. Many of us have a hard time hearing from God because we are not listening. God speaks in a variety of ways we must prepare ourselves to listen, hear and follow God's will for our lives. The more we communicate with God the more we will see God responding to us. When trouble comes looking, seek God first, then follow Gods will.


Be Well, Love P.J.