October 28, 2025

Sometimes we are forced into battle, not of our own making. The Philistines heard that David was made king over all of Israel and decided, much to their chagrin, that they should go up against him and congregated in the valley of Rephaim. Being a man of God, he didn’t just go into battle without first enquiring of Him whether to engage with the enemy. Once he got confirmation from God to go, he fought them and won. They came again; this time, when David enquired of God, He told him not to go and turn away from them. However, he told him to go by the way of the mulberry trees and to wait for a sound in the tops of the trees, and He would go before them. God gave David the all clear, and he smote the Philistines at Gibeon, even to Gazer. David struck fear into all the nations. 

Our enemy, though spiritual, will come against us from time to time. It will feel real because he uses the weakness of others as a weapon, so you think your enemy is another person, when it is likely that the enemy has instigated a battle against you through these gullible humans. Your first thought should be like David’s: to ask God whether you should engage in such a battle and then wait for His instructions. He will guide you through the Holy Spirit, who will make it clear in your mind the direction you should go. Your most powerful weapon is prayer. Listen to God, and he will make clear your path.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. 1 Chronicles 14:10