Mensa Otabil - David's Inquiry (11/09/2025)
On day 6 of the 40 days of power, drawing from 1 Samuel 30:8 where David inquired of the Lord before pursuing his enemies, the preacher stresses that truly seeking God’s direction means being ready to obey whatever He says—and often requires sacrificially making room and time to hear Him clearly, just as David Wilkerson did by selling his TV to pray.
Day 6: The Power of Inquiring of the Lord
Welcome to day number six of our 40 days of power. 1 Samuel chapter 30, verse 8: «So David inquired of the Lord, saying, 'Lord, shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? ' And He answered him, 'Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.'»
What «Inquiring of the Lord» Really Means
The phrase I want you to pay attention to is: David inquired of the Lord. This is King David. He needed to make a decision, and he said, «Lord, should I go ahead and do this? Should I go against these enemies that have attacked my people?» And God said, «Yes, go ahead.» But God could also have said, «Do not go.»
Are You Ready to Obey Whatever God Says?
So inquiring of the Lord means that we are ready to go wherever He tells us. If He says go, we go. If He says do not go, we do not go.
The Story That Shaped My Early Faith
Now, one of the big influences of my early Christian life, when I was a teenager, was a book I read called The Cross and the Switchblade. The Cross and the Switchblade talks about the ministry of a man named David Wilkerson and how it impacted so many young people in New York, transforming people from drug addicts to preachers.
From Gangs and Prisons to Powerful Preachers
People who were gang members, who were murderers, people in jail—people that nobody would give a chance—found that the grace of God reached them. God reached out to these young men, brought them into the kingdom, and used them profoundly.
How One Small-Town Preacher Changed Thousands
How did God use David Wilkerson so much to transform so many people? It started very simply in his room. He was a small-town preacher, and according to his account, he said he was very dissatisfied with himself. Things were going well in the church.
Success on the Outside, Empty on the Inside
The church he pastored was thriving, building buildings—everything was fine—but he was very unhappy, so he decided to spend time praying to seek God’s face. «Why am I not happy? What is going on? What does God want me to do?»
The Radical Step That Changed Everything
The time he had to pray was at night, but he had a habit of watching TV during that time, so he did something very radical. He took his TV set, sold it, and decided to use that time for prayer. As he prayed, God began to place a burden on him.
From Prayer Closet to New York Streets
One day, the Lord led him to go to New York to rescue some young men and bring the gospel to them. He took the bold step. He did not know anybody; he went as God led him. So many people were transformed; so many lives were changed.
Drug Addicts Turned Pastors — All Because He Asked God
Some of these drug addicts became pastors, and a powerful ministry was birthed. It was birthed because a small-town preacher inquired of the Lord. Just like King David, this David Wilkerson also inquired of the Lord.
What Are YOU Willing to Give Up to Hear God?
From that story, I learned that sometimes inquiring of the Lord requires putting aside something so you can focus on Him. Something that occupies too much of your time, something that occupies too much of your attention, may have to be moved out of the way so you can spend time with God and hear from Him.
TV Time Became Prayer Time — What About Yours?
For David Wilkerson, he put away his TV and used that TV time for prayer. Could it be that maybe your football time could also become prayer time if you genuinely want to know the will of God? Could it be some other time you spend that God says, «Why do you not use this time for Me? Why do you not seek Me? Why do you not inquire of Me?»
We Want God’s Voice — But Crowd Him Out
Many times, we say, «Oh, I want God to speak to me. I want to know the will of God. I want God to direct me.» But we have crowded our lives, pushed God out of our lives, and we do not make room for Him.
Make Room — God Wants to Guide You!
If you want God to speak to you, make time for Him. Make room for Him. It may be that you must sacrifice something. It could be a habit, but whatever it is, turn away from something so you can turn towards God.
Something Great God Wants to Birth in YOU
God wants to guide you; make time for Him. Make room for Him. Create the space, create the atmosphere so that you can spend quality time with the Lord. Hear His voice; inquire of Him so He will guide you.
Are You Ready to Make More Time for God?
There is something great that God wants to birth in your life, but it has to be birthed through His direction. It has to come forth through His guidance as you make time for Him. Are you ready to make more time for God? I trust the Lord will give you the strength to do that.
Let us pray. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, lead me into the right pursuits. Turn my heart and attention to the path that is right for me in Jesus' name. Amen.» And amen.