When in Doubt, Ask Twice

In God’s Workmanship, Oswald Chambers wrote, “We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” Sometimes, our difficulty surpasses the faith we need to trust God’s voice.  In this season of doubt, what are we to do?

Meditation
1 Samuel 23:1-4--It was reported to David: “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and raiding the threshing floors.” So David inquired of the Lord: “Should I launch an attack against these Philistines?”
The Lord answered David, “Launch an attack against the Philistines and rescue Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Look, we’re afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” Once again, David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will hand the Philistines over to you.”
 
David had his answer, but the fear of his men seemed to subvert his confidence. So he did what any person unsure should do: he returned to the Lord with the same question. There is nothing wrong with asking God twice.  It does not mean we have inept faith, failures, hearing problems, etc. It just means that we need reassurance.

Gideon needed the wool fleece dry while the ground was wet and the fleece wet while the ground was dry before he was convinced of God’s message (Judges 6:36-40). It took two signs before he was ready to fight an assembled army that dwarfed anything Israel could produce. Did God rebuke him for his uncertainty?  No!  Did he fire him and find a better commander?  Nope.  If the honest need is for confirmation, seek it.  When in doubt, ask twice. If that is not enough, keep asking.

Sometimes, when re-engaging God with prayer, we discover that what we initially thought He wanted was not His plan.  My friends Ralph and Donna strongly felt the Lord leading them to go as missionaries to the Dominican Republic.  They were sure that was where they were to minister. However, their mission board was concerned about the leadership they would be under in the DR and were not in favor. The board recommended they go to Costa Rica.  At first, the Hollands battled this idea and wept over losing what they thought was their calling. After asking God again for His direction, they sensed Costa Rica was His plan. They ended up living there for eight years and planted 17 churches. 

God may confirm what we think He said the first time, or we may discover His will is different from what we initially thought. In either situation, when in doubt, keep asking. God is faithful. He will lead you to the appropriate action or the right place. Trust Him!
 
Inspiration
“Cover this confirmation process with prayer. When they make it harder for us to pray, we just pray harder.”—Zell Miller

©2024 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)