Alert.

Today You speak to me more about the rhythm of abiding*.  I’m thinking of Moses, who chose to strike the rock rather than speak to it*…of Saul who offered sacrifices without Your blessing*…and the Israelites who didn’t proceed to battle*.  And, on a more positive note, the story about You rustling in the trees*.  A simple, but powerful, picture of active abiding.

David was newly appointed as king of Israel and the Philistines weren’t that excited about it.  As a challenge to the new king, they raided a nearby valley*.

Abiding was nothing new to David, he had already lived it for a long time.  So he asked You – shall I go up against them?  You said, ‘go’.  They went, and the enemy was defeated.

Round one wasn’t enough for the enemy and they came again to the same valley.  Assuming nothing, David inquired again.  And You said something amazing.

“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…”.

And then David did something amazing.

“So David did as God commanded (…and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations)”.

At the rock, Moses missed the power of a new word to an old situation*.  David did not.  He assumed nothing about his title, his kingdom nor Your plan of action.

It was more than a formula for him – inquiring, hearing and obeying.  He knew You.  He trusted and believed You.  Abiding and alert.

Inquiring.

Perhaps I have been inquiring of You with the wrong question.

Or, maybe, the right question but wrong perspective.

“Can I do this?” or “Is this next?” have flooded Your ears for a long time.  You have honored these repeatedly, guiding me with them through Your Spirit of Wisdom.

But the next level – waiting for the rustling in the trees and seeing the glory of God-level – might be better found through asking about Your best plan.  Instead of asking permission for my great idea, I could inquire more about Yours.  A fresh word.  Alert.

Yesterdays plan and yesterdays miracle do not necessarily contain the plan and power for today.

Choices.

Speaking or striking, going straight out or waiting for the rustling … there is great power and victory and blessing in believing* the smallest nuance of Your directions; in the inquiry and alertness to detail.

I don’t want to miss seeing You go out before me.  Your glory, Your victory.

I marvel at the way that You intimately know the details of every situation, every battle.  And even more, You have a word about it – a fresh word.

My heart takes great comfort in You.

Alert, abiding and believing.

* Clicking on *’s will open a new web page providing the indicated reference.