When you hear the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall bestir yourself; for then shall the Lord go out before you, to smite the host of the Philistines. ~ II Samuel 5:24
David has just won a great victory and now has the opportunity again to score. But David being the man of wisdom that he was, would not go out until he knew that God said, Go.
When God gives the Green light our victory is sure, but to suppose that we can go out in our own time and strength, doing as we please is futile.
Faith does not act on its own. Faith stands on a Word From God. And goes out with joy and peace, knowing God is with you.
Before any great endeavor we should go to God for His counsel concerning the matter. We should find out what He is saying about the event at hand. Is it part of his best plan for our lives, or just part of a plan that we have drawn up and added "God said" ... as a personal rider?
To remain in the center of God's perfect will is safe and productive. To step outside of it is dangerous, ineffective and usually with personal losses. And to be in the center of God's will means allowing His Word and Spirit to lead. The Psalmist said, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Pslams 119:105 And as we stay in the realm of light we have direction for our course.
This time God did not say, "Go up at once." He is a God that never changes, but battle plans and strategies are subject to change, thus we must learn to hear and obey the voice of the Spirit in every situation of our lives.
This time, God tells David ... "wait." That four letter word "WAIT' is usually not the Word people desire. But it is a four letter word that holds blessings when we mix our faith with it and obey. According to the Word of God, Faith and Patience inherit His promises.
Wait ... wait for what? In David's case he was to wait until he heard a sound from heaven. A sound in the tops of the mulberry trees. A rustling, movement in the tops of the trees.
This sound would be the sign from heaven that God was releasing him to move out. And David with a heart after God, says, "I will not lift my spear nor my hand until God has bidden me to do it, lest I should go to war at my own charges, and lose all that I have obtained." David knew that it paid to obey, and disobedience was costly.
The old Rabbis have said that the rustle at the tops of the mulberry trees were the angel armies, being led by God to battle before David; going ahead of him to secure the victory. Angels hastening God's Words to perform them.
When we obey God's Word there are always more for us than there are against us. We have an invisible host arrayed and set out ahead of us.
Oh, how easy it is to stir ourselves to battle, when we know that God is fighting for us; that the angels are set in motion on our behalf. However, if David had not waited, the angels would not have been there doing their part, and the battle would have been lost.
I have heard many people say, "You pick your battles", but I will tell you right now the best thing to do is to let the Lord, pick our battles. When the Lord picks your battles you always come out a winner.
There will come a day, when the mulberry will rustle for one last time, and we will rise up and leave this earth. But until that day, we must listen closely to what the Lord is saying for each day's battles. When we do, the Lord will bring us both success and a good name throughout the Land.
And by the way, don't forget to pray for our countries leaders and for our military today! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray that the leaders will inquire of the Lord about things that concern our country, and the well being of Israel.
Pray that they will listen to the Spirit of the Lord and obey his commands.
Pray that they will not leave God (the winning factor) out of their decisions.
