There is an account in 1 Samuel chapter twenty-three where David has some conversations with God that are particularly sensitive to obtaining direction and purpose. Lives were at stake.

The first conversation dealt with a battle plan. A town of Israel was being attacked by the Philistines. David wanted to save them and God agreed. His men of war, however, we tired of fleeing from enemies and did not want to create another one with the Philistines. David had to re-engage God to confirm the blessing of moving out. Having done so, it was his passion, desires and need to defend this town, with the blessing of God, that persuaded his men to join him in battle. Sometimes it is our passion, as leaders, that draw and inspire people to follow us. Passion is usually a sign that I am connected with God and I, myself, believe that what I heard from God was true. That is usually enough for others to follow. Leadership sometimes is not consensus but that cannot be really determined unless I am spending time asking God to confirm the way.

The second occasion was quite different. David would have loved to stay at Keilah, the town he saved, because they were sheltered, fed, and comfortable. Then news, maybe gossip, reached him that Saul was coming after him. He begged God, through the instrument of the ephod from the priest, to answer him. God was simple and clear and David and his men left immediately. I am sure other leaders would have sent some spies out to see if the rumour was true. Practical and doable but I have to admit I love the example of David going to God to get an understanding of people. He wanted to stay but if the people turned him over to Saul … God said they would – that was the decisive factor not whether Saul was coming or not.

What a confidence to me to pray looking to God for direction on my desires, my troubles and the convictions of others.

In any case—pray no matter what. Praying is rowing, and sometimes it is like rowing in the dark—you won’t feel that you are making any progress at all. Yet you are, and when the winds rise again, and they surely will, you will sail again before them. – Timothy Keller