The Bible is full of legendary stories that sometimes appear to be larger than life. These stories about real people who faced enormous trials and experienced tremendous victories also teach us everyday truths that can impact our own daily lives. As we look into the lives of some of these people, we’ll discover eternal truths that can help us remain faithful in the midst of our own difficult circumstances and trials. What we learn from their stories can help us to build legendary lives today! Throughout this series, check back each week for a new devotional that will help you further explore what the Bible has to say.

So Who Should I Listen To?

For July 3rd

There are so many aspects of David's life that we can relate to. In almost every step of his journey, we can in some way find ourselves in his story. We see ourselves in David's successes and failures, in his strength and brokenness, and perhaps most easily in his shortcomings and mistakes. When we take time to examine a biblical figure, we can sometimes begin to mistakenly exalt them to a higher post than they deserve. Biblical figures like David aren't given to us to idolize, but rather to point us to God's sufficiency that is always available to help offset our own insufficiency. The only biblical figure worthy of our exaltation is named Jesus.

In this 5th week of our journey together, there's an aspect of this story that I'm quite certain we can ALL relate to. David is on the run, being pursued by an enemy. This isn't a game of freeze tag; Saul intends to kill David, if his pursuit affords him the opportunity. So maybe that part we can't relate to, BUT there are aspects of this story in 1 Samuel 24, for both David and Saul, that we can identify with!

We read the following words spoken by David's men to David in verse 4: "The men said, 'This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.'" In similar fashion, as it relates to King Saul, we read David's description of Saul's experience in verse 9: "He said to Saul, 'Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you?'"

Here's what strikes me as interesting: both David and Saul had people around them telling them what to do! Can you relate? Of course you can! At times, and more specifically, at significant crossroads, we usually find ourselves in no short supply of opinions regarding what we should or should not do. So who should I listen to?

To complicate the matter further, the Bible actually exhorts us in Proverbs 11:14 that "in the multitude of counselors there is safety." So God's Word tells us that it is wise to listen to input from others. Yet at times, the input from others doesn't always point us in the direction of God's will, as we just saw in the lives of both David and Saul. So how can we know the difference? When should I and when shouldn't I listen to and heed the advice of people I trust in my life?

While there is truly NO simple answer to this complicated question, there are some things we can bear in mind when confronted with having to decide if we heed the counsel of trusted friends, or ignore it because the inner witness of the Holy Spirit is louder. (For a more complete treatment of this important topic, check out our sermon series online from 2021 called Hearing God.)

For the purpose of this short devotional reading today, here's just one thought: in most cases, it is unwise to betray one's conscience. When confronted with a decision of any gravity (not "what flavor cream should I use to ruin my coffee?") I should pay careful attention to any tension I feel inside. It's true that sometimes I must overcome the hesitancy I feel within and act from courage instead of fear. But generally speaking, the Holy Spirit uses our conscience, provided we've given Him prior access to inform it, to speak to and direct us in the decision-making process. His voice may feel like a nudge, an inner prompting, a weight, a 'check,' a release, a nagging, or just good old-fashioned conviction. Whatever the case, we read "Afterward, David was conscience-stricken..." Your conscience is a gift from God, designed to help you make wise choices, and to resist sinful temptations!

In order to hear your conscience, this also means that sometimes we have to slow down and remove the distractions from our lives. There are times when our conscience is shouting loudly at us. And there are also times when our conscience is whispering gently to us. In those moments we must slow down and pay attention to where the peace of God is found. I have personally learned in my own life that if I can discern which direction brings me peace, both in my heart and in my conscience, I've usually found the will of God for my life.

Are you facing a significant decision in your life today? Not sure which voices to listen to? Too many opinions to factor? Take time to slow down, quiet your surroundings, and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit through your conscience to direct you into the will of God for your life. He is speaking! Are you listening?

For further listening on this topic of Hearing God, check out our 4-part sermon series from the summer of 2021. Just click this link!

Reflection Questions: In which areas of my life do I find it most difficult to discern God's voice? Why could that be?
When is the last time I spent time - extended time - with God?
Am I faced with a significant decision in my life right now? What steps can I take to help me hear from God?
What time tomorrow will I devote to spending time with God - reading His Word and praying?

Prayer Prompt: Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray that you speak to each person reading this devotional today. I pray that each person would sense your empowering presence to help them discern the voice of the Holy Spirit in their conscience. And I pray that they would hear the voice that Isaiah speaks of when he writes, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Isaiah 20:31) May each of us hear your voice, know your will, and obey! In Jesus' name, amen.