Sunday, May 17, 2020

Need a Strategy?


Need A Strategy?                              


Do you need a strategy—you know, a plan?  
Image by Connie Wohlford



Are you trying to figure out what to do next—what the future holds?


David, the shepherd boy—turned warrior—turned fugitive—turned king--had just been crowned king over Israel’s newly unified kingdom. He and his people were under threat from their long-time enemy, the Philistines, on two fronts. This young king (age 30) needed a strategy. 


As was his practice, he asked God what he should do. In 2 Samuel 5:19b, we’re told that David inquired of the Lord and the answer was this: “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 


David did as God instructed and God did as He said He would do.


Before long, the Philistines were gathering in another location to go against the Israelites. David turned to God again for guidance. I love the way God gave David a unique and specific strategy.


“Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, ‘You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.’ And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:23-25). 


Maybe you need a unique and specific strategy right about now. Do you feel like you’re being attacked by the enemy called COVID19—perhaps on two or more fronts even? We’re all affected in some way. 


Do you need a strategy—a plan on how to handle health concerns, family unity, friendships, loss of income, or   (fill in the blank)   ? Or your enemy may have nothing to do with COVID19. You still need a strategy.  


If your health is compromised, you need a strategy. 


If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, you need a strategy. 


If your way of life has been turned wrong side out, you need a strategy. 

If you've lost your job, your business, or your nest egg, you need a strategy.


If you’re in the middle of constructing a house or a business, you need a strategy. 


If you’re alive, you need a strategy. 


Like David, we need to inquire of the LORD. We need to ask God. 


God has a strategy. He has a strategy for everything that concerns us. 


A long time ago, King David, as psalm writer, spoke to God saying, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made … Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me when as yet there were none of them. How great are Your thoughts of me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand” (Psalm 139:13-17).


Photo by Connie Wohlford
God sees, God knows, God cares, and God has a plan. 

It’s reassuring, and exciting, to know that if God saw each of us as we were being formed in our mothers’ wombs and fashioned our days, He surely has a strategy for us to successfully work through the trials life delivers to us. 

After all, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).


Since we have free will, some of our trials and our enemies may be self-imposed due to our own lack of following God’s leading along the way. Nonetheless, He still wants to help and has a strategy to do so.


God knows what we should do in every situation. It may not involve Mulberry Trees, but it will work. We need to inquire of Him, listen for His answer, and do what He says. For many people, hearing God’s answer is where the problem comes in. 


I’ve often heard it said, “I never hear anything from God.” The first thing I say back is something like, “Do you read your Bible regularly?” At least ninety-nine percent of the time their answer is, “No.”    




God speaks to us in many ways. In my experience, I mostly hear from Him through study and meditating on His Word. Also, He speaks through prayer and sitting quietly before Him, through other people, and through situations happening around us. He can be very creative in how He speaks to His people.


At 2 Sam. 5:23-25 - Photo by Connie Wohlford

When we think we have an answer, we can test it against God’s Word and His character to see if it lines up. But, how can we do that if we don’t spend quality time in the Bible?     


Will we sometimes miss God? Yes, but He knows our hearts and He’s well able to help us get back on track.


So, what is it that you need a strategy for at this moment? 


Let’s pray: Father God, You know every detail of every situation in my life. I need Your help and I need a plan—a strategy—to help me work my way through this. Please help me hear your voice and show me what I need to do. Then, Lord, I ask that You help me have the courage and the strength to follow through. I praise You and thank you for Your love, Your care, and Your help. In Jesus name, Amen.    


Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

10 comments:

  1. "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Such wisdom here! It's vitally important to remember that when we seek God first, He always makes a way. Even if it seems confusing to us, He loves giving wisdom when we ask for it! Thanks for this reminder!

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    1. You're welcome and thank you, Emily, for adding that wonderful passage to the conversation. I appreciate you reading my blog and adding your insightful comment.

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  2. Your words are so true, Connie. God gives us strategies for every circumstance we face. And He is so detailed, as He did with David, He can lay out plans for us that we would never have been able to think of (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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    1. Oh, you're so right, Barbara. I'm grateful that God knows every minute detail of every situation and He know how to best handle each part.

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  3. Connie, I need a strategy for upcoming events. Covid-19 has put a pallor on the decision making for my women's retreat scheduled for September 2020. I am creeping forward thinking it will jappen...I must get registration info live soon...while at the same time not wanting to move too fast with the pandemic situation.

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    1. Jeanne, that's a real dilemma. I'm suppose to speak at a couple of conferences this year. The April one is looking at moving to August and the August one (not the same as previously mentioned) is being reduced from three days to one day and will be located at their church instead of retreat grounds. Both of these involve mostly their own local ladies so may not be as complicated as yours.
      I am praying for you to work this out according to God's plan. We can be confident He has it all figured out. I pray you'll have clarity on what to do and then totally trust God for the results. God bless you as you continue to serve our Savior.

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  4. This is reassuring, most certainly: "He has a strategy for everything that concerns us." What a comforting thought! Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. I so agree, Julie. You're welcome.
      Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

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  5. Amen Ms. Connie! We always, always, need to seek God's plans for our lives. He's the master strategist. In my life, when I've tried to make my own plans and achieve my own dreams is when things have gone "off track" the most. Even though I'm still trying to grow in patient waiting so my actions align with God's timeline for my life, whatever He does is always far better than anything I try and do in my own power. Great wisdom here ma'am. THANK YOU!

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    1. Thank you, J.D. Indeed He is the "master strategist" And I so love being able to be in communion with Him and His guidance.

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