How many people can say that this morning they got to go out to battle with King David?  Well, I can.  And I did it while still in my PJ's and eating my waffle. Yep, there I was, hanging out in 1 Chronicles, and before I knew it, the Philistines were attacking.  David, he didn't try to work out his own plan, He asked the Lord what to do. The Lord said, "Go, I will hand them over to you." And guess what? He did!  

Later, along came another battle and, instead of just operating on the same message he had gotten earlier, David checked in with the Lord again (smart move!).  This time, the Lord still said to go fight, but He gave David some very distinct directions to follow to win the battle. He told him to circle the army around the Philistines and to wait.  What??  Wait?  Yes, that's right. Here is what they were waiting for:  for the Lord to go out to battle before them and defeat the enemy.   

Guess how he would know that the Lord was fighting?  He would hear the sounds of marching in the tops of the Balsam trees.  Then, and only then, would he be given the okay to go out to battle, because that would mean the Lord was striking down the Philistines.   How cool is that?  God gave him exact instructions.  Instructions that might not have been easy to follow for a warrior who wants to get on with a battle.  He had to wait on the Lord.  That's it...wait.   

I tell you, we serve a God who has a plan for us.  I'm praying that I remember to turn my battles over to Him on a daily basis and that I will have ears to hear Him marching in the tops of the Balsam trees of my life as He goes out in front of me as my defender and protector.   He doesn't want us to be alone in these battles, but wants us to realize the offer He makes to us as our protector is real.  It's not just a story; it's a reality that can belong to all of us as we trust Jesus with our lives.   

Today, let's all think of some battles we have been trying, in vain, to fight on our own and check in with the battle plan the Lord has for us.

Submitted by Polly Warring