And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
1 Chronicles 14:11b
1 Chronicles 14:11b
If you’re like me, 1 Chronicles is probably not a book that shows up in your devotional times on a regular basis. Tucked away in 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 is a fascinating account of David asking or “inquiring of the Lord” how to lead his people to defeat the Philistines. The first time God says, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” David obeys and strikes down the enemy. The place is named Baal-perazim, as they experience God as the “Lord of Breakthrough.” The Philistines leave their gods there and David burns them as a sign of victory.
However the story doesn’t end there. Not easily deterred, the Philistines yet again make a raid in the valley. Then David does a simple, but amazing thing. Rather than using the same strategy God had given before, he pauses and inquires of the Lord again. This time God says not to go up directly, but go around opposite the balsam trees and wait for the sound of marching in the tops of the trees. Wait, what? This doesn’t make any sense. But David obeys and they win a far greater victory, from Gibeon to Gezer. Then verse 17 says David’s fame went out into all the lands and the Lord brought fear of him upon all nations.
Our God is both Lord of Breakthrough and Lord of Divine Strategy. David inspires me. How often do I jump into action without first inquiring of the Lord? How often do I default to plans that have worked in the past and end up frustrated? How often do I misread the enemy and miss what God wants to do in a given situation? Good ideas are no substitute for a listening relationship with God. Only He knows the best course of action. My job is to get good at inquiring and obeying.
Here are a few questions that I have found helpful lately:
1 - Where are you praying for a breakthrough?
2 - Who or what are your real enemies?
3 - Where are you praying for divine strategy?
Let’s turn our attention to the Lord’s voice, and away from our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). For more on developing a listening relationship with God, consider attending the workshop below (click the image to register). Don’t miss this opportunity to come away and inquire of the Lord. Discover the breakthroughs and divine strategies He has in store for you!
~ Jen Hanson
However the story doesn’t end there. Not easily deterred, the Philistines yet again make a raid in the valley. Then David does a simple, but amazing thing. Rather than using the same strategy God had given before, he pauses and inquires of the Lord again. This time God says not to go up directly, but go around opposite the balsam trees and wait for the sound of marching in the tops of the trees. Wait, what? This doesn’t make any sense. But David obeys and they win a far greater victory, from Gibeon to Gezer. Then verse 17 says David’s fame went out into all the lands and the Lord brought fear of him upon all nations.
Our God is both Lord of Breakthrough and Lord of Divine Strategy. David inspires me. How often do I jump into action without first inquiring of the Lord? How often do I default to plans that have worked in the past and end up frustrated? How often do I misread the enemy and miss what God wants to do in a given situation? Good ideas are no substitute for a listening relationship with God. Only He knows the best course of action. My job is to get good at inquiring and obeying.
Here are a few questions that I have found helpful lately:
1 - Where are you praying for a breakthrough?
2 - Who or what are your real enemies?
3 - Where are you praying for divine strategy?
Let’s turn our attention to the Lord’s voice, and away from our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). For more on developing a listening relationship with God, consider attending the workshop below (click the image to register). Don’t miss this opportunity to come away and inquire of the Lord. Discover the breakthroughs and divine strategies He has in store for you!
~ Jen Hanson