Just like that! King David’s reign is off to a great start because the Lord bursts through! In David’s own words, “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” The Philistines fell twice! Each time, David consulted with God first. God responded. David obeyed.
The pattern is predictable. When we ask God for something, he will answer. Sometimes the answer isn’t what we expect. For instance, David was probably pretty surprised when God gave him a game plan that was totally a sneaky, “take by surprise” kind of move. But David didn’t question it or think he had a better way. We sometimes think we have the better way, don’t we?
I’m sure the Philistines are trying to figure out what is happening. Are they starting to realize that King David is a force to be reckoned with? Certainly, nobody is a match for God. When God wants to bring victory, victory is won. If God’s agenda is not victory, however, there will be no victory.
If we only knew what God’s agenda was for our lives. Do you ever feel that way? Do you wish that just once you’d receive some audible instruction or correction telling you what direction you should take? I can think of more than a couple times in my life when I’ve been at a crossroads, should I buy or not, or should I move or not? What if I’d felt a gentle budge or gotten a clue handed to me?
God does communicate with us. He may use other people. He may use his own word in our daily quiet time. He may use a billboard. I’ve seen messages on billboards before, including a likeness of Jesus own face staring down on me (let me tell you that was a little surprising to see at first and then very comforting).
We are seeing the character of God and what pleases him. He likes obedience. David is obedient to God. God rewards that with victory. There are so many benefits David will realize because of these victories. They go unspoken here, but can’t you just picture how the people rally around him and his troops for such victory!
The Israelites are finally beginning to feel special, like they are truly God’s chosen people again. With Saul as king, for years they had only fizzled out in terms of their power. Why? Because their leader was not obedient to God’s command.
What is God commanding us to do to stay obedient? Jesus clears that up for us pretty well in Matthew 22:37-40 where he says, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Let’s pray …
Lord, again I stand amazed at you: your timing of David’s victories, your provisions in my life, the beauty of the creation around me. Thank you God for watching over us and having our best life in your hand. Help us to be obedient to you and please you in all we say and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
