Needing a new strategy? Isn’t our God a strategic God? He would have to be, He told us, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” (Isaiah 46: 10) It’s amazing that He gives us, His children, the tools to carry out the strategy. Those tools come in the form of giftings, and talents and they are in our hands. What we do with them is up to us. Please don’t waste them, they are for God’s purpose and plans.
David is now reigning over Israel and Judah for a total of thirty-three years. He goes to “Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites who lived there.” (2 Samuel 5: 7) He captured the city and takes up residence there in the fortress and calls it “The City of David.” A sign still is erected saying, “The City of David,” in Jerusalem, today. I saw it with my own eyes.
The Philistines heard that David is in the city so they go up to search for him. David inquires the Lord asking if he should attack them. The Lord says yes and they pursue them. The Philistines abandoned their idols while David and their men carry them off.
Once more, the Philistines came up wanting to attack Israel, and David goes to the Lord again asking what he should do. How many battles are they going to engage in?
This time, the Lord gives David a strategy, saying “Do not go straight up but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.” (2 Samuel 5: 23) David did as the Lord commanded.
- Learn to listen to the Lord to give a new strategy.
- The old way may not be a victorious plan anymore.
- Embrace new ideas and move forward as the Lord instructs.
- Our God goes before us and strikes down the enemy.
- Follow His lead and His voice. (Shared from 2 Samuel 4-5, Paraphrased)
Jesus had a strategy too when He was on the earth. He called Levi (Matthew), who was a tax collector, to come follow Him. He goes to his house with his friends and is criticized by the religious leaders for hanging out with sinners. I guess tax collectors were considered sinners, in the eyes of the religious leaders. We are all sinners, saved by grace!
- The strategy of Jesus was to mingle among the people.
- Go and do likewise Jesus tells us, as a mature believer.
We, as Christians, have done more damage to the Kingdom by having these self-righteous attitudes.
In the latter days, we are getting new wineskins, to hold the new wine. “He pours new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2: 22b) Jesus brings a newness that cannot be confined to the old forms. New wine placed in goat skins s t r e t c h e s new wineskins. The stretching will hold more.
It’s time that we stretch ourselves in the way we think and the way we do things. The old has gone, the new has come. The old forms will not hold the new wine! The old forms may have worked in another era, but God is doing a new thing, we have to SEE IT spring forth. Can we see it? It’s coming up and out as a large fountain.
The Awakening in the past will not look like the New Awakening. Some of us need some brand new tough skin to hold what’s coming. Skin that is new, strong, yet pliable, not old and worn out.
[Side note: Age has nothing to do with this. If you are feeling old and worn out, find a place to be refreshed and stand near some fresh water. Position yourself to soak by being still and listening to anointed worship music, asking Jesus to wash over you. Hang around some young folks who are alive and full of the Spirit and enjoy being splashed. Have you ever watched a group of children running under a sprinkler? They enjoy getting wet! He is awakening our spirits to adjust to the new to move with the cloud. Some clouds have water inside of them to water the earth. Just saying…End of Side note.]
He is making “Wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains our heart.” (Psalm 104: 15) His presence contains these ingredients.
- If God is stretching you to step into a new area, it’s a good thing.
- Be flexible and willing to stretch. (Shared from Mark 2, Paraphrased)
Daniel walked right into the strategic plan of God because obedience got him there. Daniel was appointed to interpret the king’s dream, while other wise men of Babylon, were about to be appointed to be executed.
Daniel will execute the interpretation to save their lives. He goes to Arioch, who was in charge of the execution and tells him to hold up on their deaths. He then asks to be taken to the king to interpret the king’s dream.
- Our obedience may save another life.
- When we are walking with God, we think of others too.
It’s all in the approach. Daniel presents himself to the king and says, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” (Daniel 2: 28) Notice he points the king to the King of Kings.
The next step is that Daniel builds him up saying, “He has shown you what will happen in days to come. It was your dream and vision that passed through your mind.”
He decreases his involvement in the revelation, as much as he can, saying, “Not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O King, may know the interpretation that you may understand what went through your mind.” (Daniel 2: 30)
- May we decrease, and He increase.
- Remain humble in our giftings.
- It’s ok to give someone else the credit and remain in the background.
- God knows what everyone’s positions are, we don’t need to announce them.
- When it’s time for promotion, God will be the one bringing you up, not anyone else.
The king was so impressed with the accuracy of the dream interpretation, he “Placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wisemen.” (Daniel 2: 48) At Daniels’ request, his three friends were appointed over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
God has an end-time strategy for Kingdom-minded believers and it’s all about together as one. Kingdom-minded folks promote unity and coming together. They say:
“Us instead of them.”
“We instead of I.”
“Ours instead of mine.”
All for His Kingdom, His name, and His glory!
(Shared from Daniel 2: 24-49)
Awaiting His Strategy,
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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