When you hear the sound like marching feet in the tops of the balsam trees, attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 14:15
Are you waiting to make a move of some sort but are not sure of the timing? As I read this chapter today I was again impressed at David's wisdom in going to the Lord for direction. On one occasion at the beginning of his reign when the Philistines came against him the Lord told David to go and he would win the battle. Next time when the Philistines came against him David did not just go ahead and run right into battle assuming that God would deliver him the same way again. Instead he again prayed and asked the Lord, "What do I do?" This time God's answer was a little different, "Do not attack them straight on, circle round and wait for the sound...." (vs 14 & 15).
When we are making a move of any kind we should always be asking God for his wisdom and way of doing it, and his timing. That is the secret of success and the protection from great frustration or failure. It seems easy and obvious but very often we just barge ahead and think that because it has worked one way for us at one time, then it will work the same way the next time. Not so!
The reason for this can be because God wants to grow and mature us and show us new ways of doing things, or he wants us to learn to wait and listen for his way of doing it and the right timing. It is so easy for us to depend upon our own past experiences but when we rely on 'old methods', we are missing out on God's best. It is also important when God shows us that it's time to move, that we move, and don't miss the right timing. In being slow to act we can miss out of the full blessing or benefit of what God planned for us.
There is another aspect to listening that is important. I find that in our fast changing world that it's easy to feel a bit out of touch with things, but, if we remain tuned into God, it will not be an issue, because our God is an eternal and wise God. That means he is a NOW God; there is no time with him and his wisdom is always there for today. He sees the world as it was at the beginning of creation and he sees it today - all in the present tense; and he is not phased by it at all. He is still at the helm overall. It doesn't mean that he likes all that he sees. Neither does it mean that we have to feel we need to be 'up with everything' in technology to remain useful in the body of Christ. The secret to remaining relevant in today's society and in his church is to remain tuned into 'the sound in the treetops'...... his Spirit speaking today's word for us and those whose lives we are to influence. His wisdom is never out-dated, we just have to keep our 'downloads' from him current.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a TODAY God. Help me to stay tuned into you today for the wisdom I need to live life in the fullness of your blessing and obedience. Amen
