Over and Over Again

This morning I was reading in II Samuel about David becoming king over Israel. I read how the Philistines came against him as soon as they heard about his new position as king and how he sought God before going into battle with them. God assured him of the victory and David won over his enemy. Despite this, however, the Philistines chose to come against David once more. As David prayed this time, he was given a different answer. God had a different plan, one perhaps that David was not familiar with, but one that he followed none-the-less. David knew something about his God, indeed, about our God; he knew that our God would not let him down, that our God would fight the battle for him. I love what it says in verses 23 and 24.

When David inquired of the Lord, He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees. It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines"  (II Samuel 5:23-24).

What a picture you get when reading this chapter! I can see David and his men "sneaking up" behind the enemy and then waiting, ever so patiently. Then, all of a sudden, they hear the sound of marching. God has fulfilled His word. He has come. He is fighting for them.

David, no doubt, learned a lot on his journey from shepherd to king, not the least of which was learning to trust God. David knew that God would not let him down. How? He had seen firsthand the faithfulness of God. 

Doubt? Doubt is inevitable, but like David we have only to remember what God has done to know what He can do. 

Father God,

   I thank you for the words that ring out to me over and over again this week. "You are faithful!" I am thankful for the times in my life that I can look back on and see what you have done. I am thankful for how that urges me onward and calls me to continue to put my trust in you. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.