HEAVENLY STRATEGY
02nd Jun 2021
Both my Bible readings today describe “Crisis” situations. John 11 tells of the death of Lazarus, and 1 Samuel 30 tells of David arriving back in Ziklag to discover the city raided by Amalekites and everything including his wives taken captive! Emotions are raw, tears and pain dominate, and yet in both situations we see how Jesus and David turn to the Lord to get instructions and perspective.
David weeps until he can weep no more, and then he asks God some very practical questions. “Shall I pursue the raiding party? Will I overtake them? Will I be successful? Will I recover all that has been taken?” (vs 4-8) His course of action is based on what he hears from heaven, not based on the anger and fear that humanly engulfs him.
Jesus, when He hears that Lazareth, His close friend, is sick and potentially facing death, speaks out, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” He then waits to receive instructions on what to do and how to proceed. He does nothing without first hearing from His Father and when He finally acts it is with divine confidence regarding the outcome.
Two days later he goes back to Bethany, in a sense “sent”, despite previous opposition, attempts at stoning, facing a traumatic situation. But, He has heard from heaven, as had David in different circumstances. Both walking into darkness, both being equipped with light (see John 11:10). The situations are complex and need action - but in both cases the outcome has been decided by heaven’s wisdom.
I want to be one who in every situation turns to God first and hears what He says before I act or speak. I want heavenly resources to combat human crises, and I want to live in that connection of “abiding” so that it becomes an instinctive pattern of behaviour.
Constantly we are asked to pray for very difficult, life threatening circumstances. This stirs my compassion, love, care and my help; but a word from heaven that causes me to speak out in faith and say what God wants to happen will reverse everything negative and enable agreeing prayer and faith to totally change the situation.
Sometimes this is a process, but with the absolute certainty of the end result, pursuing the enemy until we see the victory and God’s glory revealed.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
