The Old Testament teaches us repeatedly through both good and bad examples that those who “inquire of the Lord” prosper and those who do not have big trouble.
Think of the Israelites and the example of Joshua. Joshua experienced victory in leading the Israelites into battle each time he “inquired the Lord”, but they experienced defeat at the hands of a small town named Ai because they did not consult with God ahead of time. They trusted in the pattern of the past and in their own power. Their defeat led them to fall on their faces before the Lord in prayer and repentance and then eventually they experienced victory (see Joshua 7). We see this kind of pattern time and time again in the Old Testament. Consulting with God brings victory and disregarding Him brings defeat.
As I was listening to the Bible Recap reading plan the other morning, I thought a great point was made. King David regularly consulted the Lord when going to battle, but not in the area of women in his life. He was a polygamous and adulterous man who seemed to “go his own way” in that area of his life.
We are complex people with many parts to our lives. Perhaps you find yourself wanting to consult with the Lord on the big issues that concern you like where to buy a house, what job to take, or for direction for your children. And yet, in other areas of your life, you might have more of an “I’ve got this” mentality in which you disregard the Lord in that area of your life.
Take a lesson from Scripture. David experienced victory in those areas in which he sought and surrendered to the Lord’s guidance, but he faced tragic defeat in the areas that he tried to segregate from the presence of God. As the Bible tells us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Lk 10:27; Mt. 22:37). Victory will come to the extent that you surrender to the Lord.