21 Days of Prayer: Day 9 - Ryan Shook
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“Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: ‘Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hands?’ The LORD answered him, ‘Go, I will deliver them into your hands.’ So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, ‘As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.’ So that place was called Baal Perazim. The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.
Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, ‘Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.’ So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.”
1 Chronicles 14:9-17 (NIV)
The greatest military threat that David and the Israelites faced in his time was the Philistine army. Ever since the period of the Judges, from Samson and throughout King Saul’s reign, the Philistines had been a formidable foe. In verse eight of this chapter, the Bible says, “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them.”
David was a mighty man of valor. He served King Saul with loyalty despite the mistreatment he received, even when Saul wanted to kill him in jealousy for all of David’s military exploits and success. He never once usurped Saul’s authority but waited on the God who had called and anointed him to be the next King. When that time came, David stepped into the role God had been equipping him for and became Israel’s greatest King. He was a great King because he was “a man after God’s own heart.” Even in the New Testament, it was said of David that he “served God in his generation….” Acts 13:36 (NIV)
What was the secret of his success? The passage today gives us insight into what made David so special. He relied on God for guidance. He never relied on yesterday’s successes for today’s battles. How often have we done that? How often have we assumed that because God may have directed us one way yesterday, that it will be the same today? It’s so easy to simply repeat what was successful yesterday thinking that it will be successful today without even seeking God first.
In the passage today, David faces the same enemy on two different occasions, seeking to destroy him and his nation. In both battles, David was successful because he prayed. Verse 9 says, “…. David inquired of God.” And when God gave him guidance, he obeyed it explicitly. He won the victory. But that would not be the end of his struggle with the Philistines. Verses 13 and 14 tell us, “Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again.”
How easy it would have been to assume that the strategy for defeating the enemy would be the same as before. But David knew better than to rest on yesterday’s successes. When he prayed, God answered him but gave him a different strategy for defeating the enemy. In verses 14 through 17, we read, “God answered him, ‘Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.’ So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.”
What if David had failed to pray about the second battle? What if he had just assumed what worked in the past would work again? “No need to pray about this one.” Sometimes, life presents challenges and tests. When we pray first and wait on God for wisdom and guidance, He is always faithful to lead us if we obey His instructions. But we must remain vigilant and pray for each situation we face to pass the tests.
Why does God allow such tests in our lives? Why allow the enemy to attack in the first place, much less repeatedly? God uses these opportunities in our lives to draw us closer to Him and find in Him our real victory. He has already won the battle! When we seek Him for our daily struggles, we cultivate a deeper intimacy and connection with Him through prayer. Soon, we discover that the battle is the Lord’s, but the victory is ours as we depend on Him for guidance.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.