Taking a break this week from the Ten Commandments series.  Instead, it seems to be better to offer some timely encouragement for all reading this column.  

There is an amazing story that comes from the life of King David in 2 Samuel 5: 23-25: 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 the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” So, David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.” 

Most in our area have spent a lot of our time and energy the past week or so looking down.  Looking down at rising water, looking down at water lines in homes and looking down where we are pulling carpet and cutting sheetrock.  

When King David was facing, yet again, the armies of the Philistines, he asked the Lord, “what do I do?”  

Friends, I know that there are many in our community and county that have been asking that question and exclaiming, “NOT AGAIN!”  

What the Lord does for David is amazing.  He goes out ahead of David and the Israelite army and defeats the Philistines before the battle begins.  

What moves me and inspires me is that God tells King David to look up and listen for the tops of the trees to move.  The Lord tells the king to look up and see what God is doing.  

God was moving out to defend David and Israel before the Philistines even attacked.  

David penned this in Psalm 121: 1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  

Here David has learned the blessing of looking up.  

Over the next few days, weeks and months, it is going to be essential for all of us to stop looking down and start looking up.  Looking up to see what God is doing, even in the midst of a raging enemy.   

We look up to God our help!  He is with us; He has not failed us, and HE NEVER WILL! 

That Is Good News!

 

Rev. Brad McKenzie is Lead Pastor at Frist Church of the Nazarene, 3810 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, in Orange.