2 Samuel 6:3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart.

In this well-known story David’s intentions were good, but he hadn’t thought to inquire of the Lord as to how to fulfill those intentions. Actually, from the time it was made the ark had rings on the sides through which carrying poles were to be passed, (Exodus 37:1-5) and the Lord had set aside the tribe of Levi as those who were to do the carrying. (Deuteronomy 10:8) What is written seems quite clear, but it hadn’t occurred to David to check it out. Before we jump to say how foolish that was, we need to think about how often we do the same, or worse. We get an idea in our heads about something and then charge off to go do it, without asking three very important questions: 1. Is this something God wants me to do?
2. How does God want me to do this?
3. When does He want me to do it?
We shouldn’t progress to the 2nd and 3rd questions until we’ve gotten a positive answer on the first one. To be honest, that’s where we trip up most often: we never really check with God as to whether the idea agrees with Him in the first place. Often we want “a clear Word” or “a sign” on the issue, but God isn’t likely to give those if the subject is already covered in the Bible. You don’t have to ask God on most moral issues because those are already thoroughly dealt with in Scripture, but too often we fail to look. To be honest, we’re often afraid of what we’ll find there if we do, and we want to do that thing anyway! Thus, we are in worse shape than David was at this point. His desire was fine, but He failed to ask God the 2nd and 3rd questions.

In my own experience it’s been the 3rd question that has tripped me up most often. I tend either to run ahead or to fail to act when He says to move. I don’t want to have the wrong answer to any of these questions! I have missed more blessings than I could say by being wrong on one or more of these on various issues, and I have seen others make complete messes of things by their failures in this area. That said, I’ve got to remember that God wants to guide me, us, even more (maybe much more) than we want to be guided. Isaiah 42:16 is very comforting in this area, promising to guide us even in our spiritual blindness. I am often asked for guidance and direction by others. I would do well to learn from my father, who was notorious for asking such people, “What does God want you to do?” It’s amazing how often we can answer that question when confronted with it directly!

Father, there are people around me right now who are facing serious, life-direction questions right now. Thank You for this Word in due season. Help me communicate it clearly, not as some pronouncement from above, but as what You have shared with me because I needed it as much as anyone else. May each of us listen to You in all humility and anticipation, trusting You to guide us because we don’t know where or how to go. Thank You. Praise God!