SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1304
“Rouse Yourself”
And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” – 2 Samuel 5:24
One of the constants in life is that we will have to deal with change. It requires that we plan, analyze options, and make decisions.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace… of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:13
For many of us, change does not come easy since it almost always disrupts our false sense of security: A regular paycheck, our home, our bank account, and investments, leaving family and moving. This breeds fearfulness and we suffer from analysis paralysis, unable to make necessary decisions. The root of such fear is our lack of trust in God and our idolatrous trust in the things that we feel make us secure.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
This was God’s Word to David, and it is His Word to us today. It is the Hebrew word ‘charats’ which means to decide and act quickly. In other words, take decisive action. But there is a caveat: ‘When you hear the sound of marching… then the Lord has gone out before you.’
Some of us can be recklessly and foolishly self-confident in our abilities and past successes so we knee-jerk react and act without relying upon and hearing from God. It is like we tell God, ‘Hold my beverage, I got this.’ Then we proceed to fail miserably.
For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. – Proverbs 3:26
In our reference Scripture, David has just won a decisive victory over his enemy, and it would have been easy for him to proceed to this next battle front self-confident in his own abilities. Instead, he wisely did not move without inquiring of the Lord first.
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
We may not hear a literal sound of marching in the tops of the trees, but we do hear direction from God – if we listen.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. – Isaiah 30:21
I recall a time where I was dealing with plant closures, layoffs and having to uproot my family and find a job in another state. At a prayer meeting we attended, an evangelist whom I had never met, called me forward saying he had a Word from God for me. He spoke a single word to me, and I went back to my seat. That week I had a battery of six interviews for a position in another state and in the course of those interviews that word was used an uncommonly, inordinate number of times. I knew in my spirit that of the choices I had before me that this was the job the Lord wanted me to take.
What are the take-aways from this devotional?
Take no steps without direction from God. Whether it is the sound of marching in trees or a single word spoken and corroborated, He does direct us, when we listen.
Do not move forward self-confident in your own skills, abilities, and past victories. Always recognize that it is God who equips, who enables, who gifts us, and who provides the victory and success.
Change is like walking on water. To do so requires that you get out of the boat.
Rouse Yourself! Take decisive action and get out of the boat. That is the first step of faith.
So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; …” – Hebrews 13:6
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
Rouse Yourself! Now, let go of the boat that holds all your ‘security’ and keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, trust that He has got this.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
May you have ears to hear His direction and guidance.
May your daily walk with Jesus be so close that you can hear His heartbeat and direction.
May you know His peace through the process of change as you trust in Him.
Sword of the Spirit 