“But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim. And again David asked the Lord what to do. ‘Do not attack them straight on,’ the Lord replied. ‘Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be a signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.’”
2 Samuel 5:22-24
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we only had to defeat our enemy once? However, that was not David’s experience. God had miraculously defeated his enemies, but after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out for battle. But notice that when the enemy returned again to harass God’s people, David also returned again to ask his God for help!
This time God answered David with a unique plan: The Israelite army was to circle around behind their enemy. But before attacking, they were supposed to wait until they heard the sound of marching feet in the tops of the trees! That would be the signal that GOD was moving ahead of them to defeat their enemy.
The Hebrew indicates those trees were “weeping trees” because they dripped sap when cut. I wonder if they are a picture of God’s people. We defeat the enemy, but after a while he comes back again. After so many agains, we become like weeping trees, tears dripping from the cuts in our hearts. But like David, if we ask for help again, our Father will calm our weeping and enable us to hear the sound of HIS coming miracle!
No matter how often your enemy comes again, ask God for help again.
Then be on the alert because your victory WILL come, again and again!
