Trust in the Rock, not Stone

Scripture: When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold. So the Philistines came and spread out in Rephaim Valley. 2 Samuel 5:17-18

Observation: From a military tactics perspective, this is an interesting move by the Philistines. David has just captured Jerusalem, the most well-defended city in the region, and one that had repelled all other attackers for centuries. Right away, the Philistines take action and David prepares for an assault on Jerusalem, but the Philistines "spread out" in a valley that is a major trade route to Jerusalem. It would seem they had the idea that, now that David was secured in a stronghold, they didn't want to just attack him, and they didn't want to directly siege him. Instead, they cut off one of his major trade routes and almost dared him to leave his uber-secure city and come fight them.

David does - twice - and defeats them easily. Both times, David prays to the Lord for instructions and advice. The first time, the Lord tells him to attack, and David breaks the Philistines with such force he compares it to flooding waters breaking through a barrier. The second time, the Lord tells David to flank the Philistines and to coordinate his attack with the Lord's own actions, and again that works easily.

Here's the deal ... Jerusalem and its legendary defenses was NOT David's stronghold. David's stronghold was the Lord, and he knew that when the Lord went with him into any situation, he was well-protected. Sure, Jerusalem was a great capital because it was eminently defendable, but walls and towers on hilltops are earthly defenses designed to protect against human attacks. David's trust was not in stone, but in the Rock, the Lord.

Application: Over and over, David models what it means to be "a man after God's own heart". He has all these earthly blessings ... just listed in this section he has a kingdom, many children, loyal friends, and strength enough to defeat cities ... but all he cares about is figuring out how the Lord wants him to act next. He doesn't make life decisions based on the earthly things, but on the will of the Lord.

I SO want this to be the model of the next steps in my life. I have blessings all around me, but I don't want to take action where the primary motivation is to preserve the blessings. I want to do whatever the Lord wishes of me. I am truly very thankful that, even today, the blessings he has given us can be a joy to others around us. This reminds me that, indeed, my basket contains a full measure, pressed down, and overflowing. I can't fill it with more anyway. I wish to do whatever the Lord wants me to do, to advance his purposes.

Prayer: Lord, I do ask this today, what would you have me do to attack this challenge before me? Where should I go, and how should I do it? You have a plan and outcome in mind for certain, and I want to arrive at that outcome having been faithful to your plan. I trust in you alone. You are my stronghold. Amen.