Friday, January 27, 2006

Looking for Breakthrough

One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to inquire in His temple.
(Psalm 27:4)
The Hebrew word for “inquire” is baqar. Literally, it means to plough, but generally it means to “break forth” in the sense of searching and seeking out. Other versions have:
  • To visit early in His Temple. (Jewish Publication Society Bible)
  • To meditate, consider and inquire in His Temple. (Amplified Bible)
  • Getting wisdom in His Temple. (Bible in Basic English)
  • I’ll study at His feet. (The Message Bible)
David was in a tough position, completely surrounded by his enemies. An angry army was encamped around him and fierce war was being pitched against him (v. 3). False witnesses opposed him, hostile voices breathing out violence (v. 12). David was in serious need of breakthrough in his situation, and that required a breakthrough in his spirit, to break forth with an intense focus on the LORD.

Perhaps this was the occasion we read about in 1 Chronicles 14. David had just been established at Jerusalem as king over Israel. When the Philistines got word of this, they came looking to oppose him. David went out against them. The Philistines made the first move and raided the Valley of Rephaim. (vv. 8-9). Then in verse 10, we read,
And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”
The word for “inquire” here is shalal and means to ask, beg, borrow, and on occasion, even to demand. It is an earnest request. God answered and released David into victory:
So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of waters.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. (v. 11)
“Baal Perazim” means “Master of Breakthroughs.” When David broke through and focused himself on the LORD, the LORD broke through his enemies in a mighty way.

One final encounter remained in this battle, for afterward, the Philistines made another raid on the valley (v. 13). This was a fresh battle and required a fresh word from the LORD. Yesterday’s breakthrough is no assurance of today’s victory.
Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations. (v.v. 14-17)
This was the final triumph over the Philistines, and it happened because David broke through and inquired once more of the LORD. God went forth before Him, then David went forth in God’s footsteps and appropriated the victory.

If you want to breakthrough to a place in your life you have never been before, you must breakthrough to God in a way you have never done before. You must come to the place in your life where you realize that it is all about God and that true and lasting success will never come to you apart from Him. Then seek Him with all your heart. Get in His presence and lay claim to His promise and provision with single-minded focus. Let no other words fill your heart but His, and He will lead you to complete victory.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:21 PM

    Thank you for using God's words to bless me.
    Sylvia

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  2. Anonymous12:08 AM

    Thank you for this word. I wanted to know what "inquire" meant in Psalm 27 and I found this blog as I was searching on the Internet. May God bless you in your ministry. Are you familiar with Forerunner media group? If not, go to their website and be blessed with the music.

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