One of my favorite events in the life of David is found in 2 Samuel 5. Whenever I read it, I think about how I would react to what God told David to do.
“The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the Lord, and He answered, ‘Do not make a frontal assault. Circle around behind them and attack them opposite the balsam trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the Lord will have marched out ahead of you to attack the camp of the Philistines.’ So David did exactly as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.” [5:22-25 HCSB]
This passage always makes me chuckle because it highlights my own impatience at times. I know I’d be out there shaking those trees with all my might instead of waiting for God to move.
Charles Spurgeon related the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees to God moving in the lives of Christians in special anointing. He said, prayers become powerful, Scripture comes alive, the Spirit of God gives abundant joy, gladness, and a closer communion with Christ than ever experienced.
I truly believe that God is calling the Church to listen for His sound moving across this land. We need to get in the flow of His anointing. We need to acknowledge that we are tired of doing things our own way and then seek the flow of God in our lives, our homes, our families, our work, our play, our churches.
David had to listen, which means he had to grow quiet and attentive. He had to embrace a spirit of expectation that God was about to move and give him the victory over his enemies. Listening made David ready when God did move in the treetops.
Beloved, listen for the sound! Become attentive to what God is saying. Develop a spirit of expectation. I know I don’t want to miss the sound of [God] marching in the tops of the balsam trees. I don’t think you do either!
