Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Similar Situations, Different Strategies

Adenike Morounke Adebola

10/07/2014

1 Chronicles 14:9-16

New International Version (NIV)

Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.” So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defea...ted them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire. Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

This portion of scripture never ceases to fascinate me. In both cases, the enemy raided the same valley in pretty much the same way. The situations/challenges were very similar! David could easily have decided to do what he did the last time that worked in the second instance. Thankfully, David was wise enough to enquire of the Lord in the second instance. God did not ask David to go and do what he did the last time; God gave him a new strategy.
Experience is good but it should NEVER take the place of seeking God's will concerning an issue. Selah!

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