Blind Intersections

I'm currently reading Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. It's been great so far. It's a look into David's life and it also talks about identifying and facing your own giants. I highly recommend it.
http://www.maxlucado.net/_product_30305/Facing_Your_Giants

The chapter I read last night was called Blind Intersections. Max starts off the chapter talking about how he always gets lost. Whether it be with driving directions or in buildings, etc. Fortunately, I've always been pretty good with directions and having a good idea of where I'm going. I got that from my dad. However, Max also refers to the crossroads in your life. Now that's completely different for me. We've all come across those times where we have to make a decision to go one way or the other. Take the job or leave it? Leave home or remain home? Build or buy? etc. I've always been terrible at making decisions. One of life's giant-size questions is "How can I know what God wants me to do?" Great question. And one that is right in line with the topics I've posted about Hearing God. David asked God the same question.

David has just learned of Saul and Jonathan's death. Suddenly the thrown was empty and David's options are wide open. But before David makes a decision he asks God.

In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked. The Lord said, "Go up." David asked, "Where shall I go?" "To Hebron," the Lord answered. ---(2 Samuel 2:1)

David makes a habit of asking for God's opinion but he does so with a tool called an ephod. An ephod is an ornate vest, woven of white linen, in-wrought with threads of blue, purple, scarlet, and gold. A breastplate bearing twelve precious stones adorned the vest. The breastplate contained one or two, maybe three, resplendent diamonds or diamondlike stones. These stones had the names Urim and Thummim. No one knows the exact meaning of the terms but "light" and "perfection" lead the list. Here is an idea pictured below.


God revealed his will through these stones. They illuminated when God said yes as well as a few other methods. The method is a bit speculative but we don't need to guess at the value. What a great tool. When faced with a problem David could simply ask God and get the answer. Wouldn't it be awesome if God would do the same for us. We could simply ask a question and get the answer. Wouldn't you love to have an ephod? Who's to say we don't? God still promises to guide us:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. ---(Psalm 32:8)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. ---(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying "This is the way; walk in it." ---(Isaiah 30:6)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ---(John 10:27)

The God who guided David guides us as well. All we have to do is ask. We may not have an ephod but we do have the Bible. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" ---(Heb. 4:12)

We have the tool, all we have to do is use it. God tells us "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you" ---(Heb. 13:5). "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phil 4:6). Don't make a decision, large or small, without sitting before God with open Bible, open heart, and open ears. You have a Bible? Read it.

What an awesome God we serve.