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two accounts of David's victory over the Philistines found in
2 Samuel 5:22-25 and 1 Chron. 14:13-17 describe a decisive event
in his life. This was his first victory over the Philistine as the
King of Israel. The Philistines had come to battle determined to
overthrow the newly elected king of Israel. Thus it was a battle
that was decisive not only for David as an individual but for
Israel as a nation. A defeat in this battle would mean a different
course of history for the people of God. However, the day was
David's and he reigned in Israel as King for some decades and
kept the Philistines under check.
The secret of David's success was
not in superior military maneuvers but a very simple one: He just
waited for the Lord to go ahead of him. The battle had to be
fought by him, and he may have even suffered some casualties but
the victory was certain because David allowed the army of the
Lord to march ahead of him.
Letting God take the lead is an
important Christian principle.
The story of the man who asked
for God's protection as he drove along the motor way illustrates
the point. As he started the long journey on the motor way he
asked God to send his angel ahead of him to protect him. He felt
God had heard his prayer and expperienced the angels protection.
However, once he entered the motor way he could hardly resist the
temptation to cross the speed limit. He met with a serious
accident. Recovering in the hospital he shouted at God: "You
promised to send your guardian angels ahead of me to protect
me. Where was your angel when I crashed into that truck?" He
heard the gentle voice of God: "Son, I did send my guardian
angel, and he was ahead of you clearing the way for you. But,
once you entered the motor way, soon you were driving at a
speed that the angel could not keep pace with you. Before he
could get ahead of you and clear the truck from your way you
had already rammed into it."
Our God is willing to go ahead
of us if we let him. The Book of Isaiah chapter 40 tells that
the people of God who were in Exile are to return and that
their God will lead them out of bondage to freedom. Yahweh
forgives and gives them a new beginning by leading his people.
Years ago, in their history, God had led them throughout their
wilderness journey- a journey from slavery to freedom.
Exodus 40:34-38 mentions God leading by the pillar of fire at
night and the cloud by day 'throughout their journey.' Many
centuries later, God was willing to do that again by bringing
his people out from Babylon. He will do that again for us now
if we only allow.
To be led by God, first of all
we must be willing to follow, or let God take the lead in our
lives. Christian life is trekking on the wildest side, the
thickest wood and scorching desert. God is willing to take
the risk of being the leader in all such situations and
making the way for us through the most difficult conditions
and we just need to follow him. It is our hurry and impatience
that gets us into trouble. Let 's wait for God and his time.
