Inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. (2 Kings 22:13)
WHEN I ASK MY MOM for advice, she usually says, “Have you prayed about it?” before she shares her own ideas and experiences. Mom relies on prayer as her first line of defense and consistently encourages others to do the same.
Seeking God’s guidance characterized the righteous kings of the Old Testament. The success or failure of Old Testament ventures can often be predicted based on whether or not God was consulted and obeyed. When Josiah heard the book of the law, the words struck him so deeply that he tore his robes—a sign of grief and repentance—but he didn’t spring into instant action. Instead of making his own plans the way his father and grandfather had done, he humbly sent his secretary and the high priest to seek the Lord’s guidance.
You don’t have to send a high priest to inquire of the Lord through a prophetess the way Josiah did. You can bring your questions right to God through Jesus Christ. Prayer and Bible reading go hand in hand. They are the two sides of good communication between you and God. Prayer will help you to learn what God has for you in His Word, and His Word will nudge your prayers into alignment with His will. Like the kings of Israel, God will guide you on the right path when you seek His guidance.
Read God’s Word through the lens of prayer.
Leah E. Good is a daughter of God, lover of stories, and passionate orphan care advocate. She lives with her family in beautiful New England.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
