Friday, July 29, 2011

Can You See the Mulberries Moving?

"And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines" (1 Chronicles 14:15, NKJV)

Sounds in the tops of the mulberry trees - what a glorious picture of the presence and the power of God in the life of any man He may choose to lead, beloved! Do you know the story? If not, then let me tell you. If so, then it is worth hearing again.

David had just at long last been proclaimed king over all Israel. A great festival attended by everyone had taken place with worship and rejoicing that the nation had her rightful king upon the throne. Finally the nobles and commanders and all visitors returned to their homes and the land grew quiet. The Philistines had been watching from afar with growing paranoia and hostility. Seeing that the people were finally dispersed, they flooded into the land of Judah, filling the Valley of Rephaim with an army that was seemingly innumerable. David inquired of the Lord and was directed to assault them directly. David and the forces of Israel did so and won a great victory.

Still again the Philistines came into the Valley of Rephaim in great numbers. Once again David inquired of the Lord, refusing to act upon the basis of his previous victory. Good thinking! This time God directed him to come around behind the armies of the Philistines and to camp against them where the mulberry trees grew. Then God gave to David an unusual directive, as our focal verse of Scripture reveals. He was to wait until he could hear the sounds of an army moving through the leaves at the tops of the mulberry trees, then he was to attack them from behind. Again, David obeyed God implicitly and again God routed the Philistines before him.

I have heard it said and have read from any of a number of theologians and writers that possibly the "sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees" could easily have been the hosts of heaven leading the way for David to the victory which he inevitably realized. Whether that understanding is literally true, what a glorious picture it is nonetheless of how God goes before us in every situation that we face! In a beautifully poetic way, God said to David, "Wait until you see Me move, then you move and follow Me!"

How often today do we find ourselves on the wrong path simply because we did not think to wait for the leaves in the tops of the mulberry trees to move, beloved? Are you facing a set of circumstances right now in which you need the clear leading of God in your life? Then, do what David did. Wait for the evidence of God's moving and then follow Him wherever He may lead! For us today as Christians, that moving of the leaves comes to us as we study His Word and follow His leading there. Are the mulberry leaves moving yet in your life? Are you moving forward in obedience to God's will?

Ron