Following the death of Saul and his three sons, David did two things that are instructive. Firstly, he mourned Saul and his children. A natural man would rather roll out the drums in celebration of the demise of someone who made his life miserable and drove him into exile. Secondly, David made enquiry from the Lord if he could return to the land of Israel. Expectedly, his natural inclination was to return to his fatherland; however, that was not enough reason for action. He turned his inclination to prayer. Even when God gave him the green light, he asked for the specific city he should go to. Walking with God requires that we take no chances. There should be no room for assumptions, God must be acknowledged in the minute details of our plans and intentions.

Walking with God requires that we take no chances. There should be no room for assumptions, God must be acknowledged in the minute details of our plans and intentions…The more we tarry in prayer over a subject, the clearer we become of what is the mind of God.

To be guided is to walk in the word of God. Of course, walking in the word is walking in the light, because the word is light. How do we access the light of His guidance? It is through prayer. Even when you seem to have a hunch, still pray for clarity. When David asked the Lord if he was to return to any of the cities of Judah, we figure out he already had it as a hunch. However, he knew that to wish is one thing; to be in God’s will could be a different thing altogether. When he subjected the issue to prayer, inclination became inspiration – something that God wanted him to do. The more we tarry in prayer over a subject, the clearer we become of what is the mind of God.