“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.” 1 Kings 22:5
“Look before you leap!” is a proverb credited to John Heywood (1546). It means that a person should carefully consider something before proceeding headlong into it. With a slight tweaking of the words, it would mesh perfectly with today’s verse:
“Pray before you act!”
Regrettably, I am in the habit of acting before praying. It is something I am working on correcting, but I find myself often understanding another proverb all too well: “Hindsight is always 20/20” meaning when I look back, I see everything clearly, including my mistakes!
Prayer should never be one’s last resort. When it is, we often suffer consequences that could have been avoided had we first gone to the Lord in prayer. My impulsiveness stems from a desire to be in control, and that is never the best option. It is critical for all of us to seek counsel from God first before we make decisions that are sometimes irreversible. Why? There are several reasons why this is important.
- God’s wisdom is immeasurable. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33
- God is never wrong. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Psalm 18:30
- God knows what is best for me. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
- God can do anything. “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37
- God wants to answer our prayers “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4
God should always be the first One we go to for everything in our lives. No matter is too small for Him to care about. After all, He knows when one sparrow falls from the sky, and His Word says that we are much more valuable to Him than that little bird (Matthew 10:29-31).
When God’s people pray, He moves. When God’s people trust, He acts. Make prayer your first recourse in all things, and God will provide wisdom, direction, and peace.
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer
(from “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Scriven)
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5
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God’s waiting to hear from you. Why not take a moment and pray to Him right now?