Verse of the Day 6/28

 1 Chronicles 14:15(AMP)  And when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry or balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to smite the Philistine host.

 

When we lived in Huntley Illinois, in the summertime I would have my morning devotion out on the back deck.  In the backyard there were some cottonwood trees.  Late in the summer, after the heat and dryness, the leaves would become brittle before turning brown and dropping in the fall.

When this would happen and the wind would blow, the leaves would make the sound described in today's verse.  Everytime I see a cottonwood tree I'm reminded of this verse and every time I read this verse I'm reminded of the sound of the cottonwood trees.

 

The context of the verse was during a time when David was having his battles, his encounters with the Philistines.  David sought the Lord in the way he should fight the ongoing battle.  He had to learn patience and tactics that were contrary than he would normally have utilitzed.  I don't know how long of a wait is described in this verse, whether it was to wait for a time of day or a longer period, whenever it was, when he heard the sound his armies were to take action.  In any case, he had to learn to fight the battle in the Lord's timing, and when that time came, he had to fight them in the Lord's way.

 

So it is in our lives.  We face battles of illness, job loss and/or loneliness.  We need to seek the Lord in how, when and in what manner we are to fight these personal battles.  We may have to wait hours, days or for a season for direction.  In any case, however long the wait, we need to realize that He is going before us to lead us to victory.

 

Oh, victory in jesus,
My saviour forever
He sought me
And he bought me
With his redeeming blood

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com

1 Chronicles 14:14-17

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. ¹⁵ And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." ¹⁶ And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. ¹⁷ And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.