Living and leading on principle- part 2

Ever had a season when you are RE-facing an issue or situation you thought you had already dealt with or gotten victory over or passed that test? You're dealing with a pattern in your life, a mental block, or chronic emotional battle.

So, did David, and it's a great account of living/ leading on principle rather than on methods.

Some background: David had recently become king over all Israel, and the Philistines come to pick a fight and whip David out (ever felt like that?). While David is camped out in his "stronghold" seeking God, his enemies are gathering in the Valley of Rephaim (known as Valley of Giants. Hmm, that sounds familiar). Read 2 Samuel 5:17-20. God tells him to lead his army against them, and when David does, there is a great victory. So far so good...

Then, just win David is feeling good about his victory, the Philistines gather back up in Valley of Rephaim again. Same place, same enemy!

What would you be thinking? what would you do? David could have thought, "ok, been here before. Must have not been as big a victory as I initially thought. Well, God told me to go fight them before, guess I'll go fight them again. Pretty sure if it brought us victory the first time, it'll work again this time."

Did you see it? Methods are developed from past victories, either our own or someone that we're familiar with.

But that's not what David did. Instead, verse 23 says, "David inquired of the LORD". Read the rest of 2 Samuel 5:22-25. But this time, God gave David a different strategy- to have his army surround them from the back on the hillside where the Mulberry trees are, and then wait to hear the stirring in the trees. Once David heard the stirring, then he was to attack the Philistines. David follow the strategy precisely, and there he defeated the Philistines again.

What's the point? The strategy isn't what worked. Strategies must change. David had to first pray and inquire of God, then follow His plans and strategies. The previous strategy wouldn't have led to victory but destruction.

Just because David was facing the same enemy in the same place didn't mean he had failed, God was just testing him to see if he would seek God or default to some prescribed strategy, then write a book called "How to defeat the Philistines in 5 Simple Steps". No, David had to listen and obey. The only explanation for both victories was GOD!