2 Samuel 5:22-23a: Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered.</p><p>In this passage of Scripture, we find the Philistines had came up against King David and the Israelites for battle. Even though David was a great King and military leader, he knew where his success had come from and where he needed to go now. He immediately went and prayed to ask God what he should do and God quickly answered. God gave David specific direction as to what military strategy would bring them victory that day and it worked. The Israelites were victorious and the Philistine army was defeated.</p><p>What brought the victory that day? What steps did King David take to ensure that they would come out on top in this battle? Three steps come to mind that we can follow today in any situation that we find ourselves in. The first step that David took was that he inquired of the Lord. When faced with a difficult situation, David was quick to go to God for direction instead of exhausting all of his personal resources and then going to God as a last resort. We can learn an important lesson from this today. When we are faced with difficult situations, and we often are, we should be quick to go to God in prayer and ask Him what we should do.</p><p>The second step that David took was that he listened when God answered. One thing that David knew from experience was that God always answers prayer. That's why David was quick to go to God in the first place, because he knew that God was sure to answer. God came through for David again and answered clearly and specifically. David received the answer that he needed. We will receive the answers that we need also if we will take the time to ask and then listen for God to answer us. One of the main reasons that many people do not ask God for direction is that they do not want to hear the answer unless it fits their desires. The answer that David received went against conventional military wisdom, yet he received it anyway.</p><p>The third step that David took was to obey the Word of the Lord. When God answered, David obeyed. It doesn't do anyone any good to hear the voice of wisdom and not obey that voice. David could have came up with his own strategy but he would have lost the battle. So often we come up with our own way to handle a difficult situation and we end up losing our way and facing the consequences of our decision. Obeying God's answer may be the more difficult way but it always comes with good consequences in the end.</p><p>David often inquired of the Lord and God always answered him. Today we should do the same. We should often inquire of the Lord and He will always answer us also.</p><p><i>Rev. Stephen Hammond is the Senior Pastor of Bethel Community Church</i>