Not long after David became king of Israel, he needed to lead his people into various battles with their enemies, the Philistines. (See 2 Samuel 5 verses 17 - 25). David’s approach to the crisis of war puts to the test the life lessons he learned during more than twenty years of waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled in his life. No hasty skirmishes or impulsive attacks from this national leader! David has had a lifetime of learning to hear God’s voice, even in the smallest details of his battle strategy.
So when the Philistines launch their first attack, David doesn’t rush out with his troops without first asking God, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines? Are you going to give us a victory?” God says yes, and the Israelites defeat the Philistines in round one of this war. (vs 19 - 20)
When the Philistines came back again for round two, David could have rushed out to defend his nation again. After all, God had been with him and given Israel the victory in the previous battle. But David carefully avoids the sin of presumption and goes back to enquire of the Lord again. (vs 23 - 24) God again promises him a victory, but this time the strategy is to be completely different: David’s troops are not to ride out to meet the Philistines in battle, but are to circle around and prepare to ambush them from behind.
Once David’s army has taken up their positions, they are to (guess what?) ... they are to wait until God confirms that the timing is exactly right. When they hear the sound of the wind in the balsam trees, a rustling that sounds a bit like the noise of marching feet, they are to move - and move quickly. David follows God’s instructions down to the last detail (vs 25) and again wins a resounding victory over the Philistines.
Oh, that we would all depend on God and listen to God in the details like David did. Sometimes in our churches or in our individual lives, we get a sense of what God’s calling us to do... and so we rush out and fumble around in our own ignorance. Or perhaps last year’s community evangelism was really fruitful and we we feel that God is prompting us to hold a special outreach week again this year. It can be so easy to make the mistake of trying to replicate what happened last time, and forget to check in with God whether He has a new and different strategy for us to use this year.
Sometimes, when God gives us a vision, he leaves us to make our own decisions about the best way to do it in our particular cultural context and with our own set of gifts and talents. But at other times, He wants to give us His strategies too, because knows exactly the best way to do it in order to get maximum fruitfulness. It's always worth asking for His counsel before moving to action.
Sometimes, when God gives us a vision, he leaves us to make our own decisions about the best way to do it in our particular cultural context and with our own set of gifts and talents. But at other times, He wants to give us His strategies too, because knows exactly the best way to do it in order to get maximum fruitfulness. It's always worth asking for His counsel before moving to action.
Let’s learn from David’s example; let’s become people who depend on the Lord even in the smallest details of our lives - listening not only to what is on His heart for us, but also lingering long enough to find out more about the how and the when. It’s the only way that victory is guaranteed!
