Called by God—but Guided How? David, Discernment, and Daily Decisions

I Chronicles 14:8–10
“When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard about it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God…”

In my last post, I reflected on the truth that God establishes certain fixed realities in our lives—the unchangeable aspects of who we are. The way we think, our physical attributes, our limitations, the things that make us unique are not accidents. In His wisdom, God has established them, whether we would have chosen them or not, and He intends to use them for His glory if we yield them to Him.

But that raises a pressing question: what about the things we can change?

Our work, careers, schedules, finances, relationships, and daily decisions—are those established by God as well? And if so, how do we know?

That question came sharply into focus as I looked at David’s life. David knew—without hesitation—that God had established him as king (1 Chronicles 14:2). That calling was settled. But how David lived out that calling was not prewritten for him. He had to discern it step by step.

Almost immediately, David learns what comes with being established by God: opposition. As soon as the Philistines hear David has been crowned king, they mobilize to destroy him. David responds instinctively. True to his nature as a warrior, he gathers the army and marches out to meet them.

BUT WAIT…

Was this move actually established by God, or was it simply David’s impulse? How could he know?

Verse 10 tells us David had the same question. Even after taking initial action, he stops and inquires of God:
“Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?”

No posturing. No assumptions. Just honest, direct dependence: Should I do this? Will you help me?

Because David’s heart was set on walking in God’s will as God’s established king, God answered him clearly:
“Go up, and I will give them into your hand.”

David trusts God’s word, attacks the Philistines, fights the battle, and wins decisively. But the victory does not terminate with military success. David gives God the glory, names the place so the victory will always be remembered as God’s work and destroys the idols that his fleeing enemies left behind. The outcome is not just triumph—it is worship.

But then the Philistines return.

This time, David does something remarkable. Instead of reacting emotionally or assuming that God will bless the same strategy again, David inquires of God first. And to David’s surprise, God provides an entirely different battle plan. He’s to attack from the rear. David obeys. God blesses. Victory follows, and God ‘brought the fear of David on all the nations’…ALL the nations!

Here is the lesson: the only way to know whether God is establishing our choices and decisions is the same way David knew—by inquiring of God with a heart that deeply wants God’s will.

Before you act.
Before you assume God will do what He did last time.
Before you rely on your strength, experience, instincts, or advice from others—take it to God.

Ask Him for direction with a heart that longs for God’s will. And when He answers, you will know what He intends to establish in your life.

Recognize this as well: God may intentionally change the plan or the time schedule. He may say, ‘Wait’. He may lead differently than before. Not because He is inconsistent, but because He is growing your faith, directing glory to Himself, and possibly using our faithfulness to accomplish something greater than we imagined.

David did not always remember to inquire of God, and neither will we. But to the extent that we do, God will bless us, deepen our faith, accomplish His will, and shape us to be more like Him.

At least, that’s what I believe.