Cozy Back Up To Jesus

# 394 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Sa 30:6b-8a,” But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, "Please bring the ephod here to me." And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" ( 1 Sam 30:6b-8a) David had messed up. He had left the home camp unguarded. In his absence, all the woman and children had been carried off to captivity. This whole time frame of co-existing with the Philistines was not exactly a highlight reel for David. It never is when we seek to co-exist with what the Philistines represent, namely the world and sin! This laxity on our part can even result in our loved ones being carried away by the world as well. This coexistence had caused David to wander from God. He had ignored the word of the prophet Gad, and although he had the ephod with him, he never consulted it for God's advice or direction. It wasn't until these dire circumstances at Zilkag, that he was forced to return to the Lord and be strengthened. This desire to return to God, brings the immediate benefit of desiring to consult God for all his decisions. The first thing that David did after returning to God was ask for the ephod. I am amazed at his question. I mean isn't it obvious? Of course you should pursue this band of marauders, they have your loved ones! But even in what appears to be obvious, David asks to make sure. You see, drawing near to God produces a sincere desire in our heart to do things God's way rather than our own way. In this incident at Zilkag we see that God's Word has once again become vital to David's decision making process. Perhaps he recalled Nu 27:21, which says, "He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the LORD for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in,” Friend, have you been cozying up to the world? Jas 4:4b, “Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Cozy back up to Jesus, as you cling to Him and the cross, you too, like David will desire to do things God's way rather than your way. Father, let us never take your directions for living lightly, give us hearts that earnestly desire to live according to Your will.