The Old Testament is wrought with many battles that Israel had to fight. Israel then was the only chosen nation of God. As God's children, they had a lot of enemies that fought against them. In 2 Samuel 5:17-21, the Philistines came against David and his men. They spread out in the Valley of Rephaim to attack them. David sought a war strategy from the Lord - so David enquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?’
The LORD answered him, ‘Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.’
David followed the direction of God, and victory was his that day. However the Philistines would not relent, they came back another day in the same way, back to the same spot - the Valley of Rephaim. The Philistines did the same thing they had done earlier and yet expected to win. They had earlier on been defeated and yet did not change their strategy. Do not expect new results by resorting to the same old things that brought failure. David had earlier on gone straight against the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim and had defeated them. It was natural for David to do same again - to simply go down to attack them. However, David inquired of God what to do this time, and God gave Him a new direction to follow for victory. In other words, David had to re- position himself for victory .
2 Samuel 5:22-25 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David enquired of the LORD, and he answered, ‘Do not go straight up, but circle round behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.’ So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
In the Ministry of Jesus, we notice that He used different ways to heal the sick, sometimes different methods for the same illnesses. When His disciples attempted to deliver a man without success, Jesus said to them - This kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21 We must know what strategy or position needed to fight which battle of life. There are times that we need to pray and fast to overcome and be victors. There are times that we need to speak to the situation , and our words of authority will defeat the work of evil. Peter and John spoke to the man at the temple gate with the authority of God through Christ Jesus, and got him healed. Some battles need songs of praise and a shout, just like with Jericho, and with Paul and Silas in prison. In some battles, silence is deserved. Jesus fought the battle for our souls in silence. But in His silence and submission lay the power that defeated evil. He silently went through torture to fulfil the Father's Will.
God is the Commander in chief of the battle we are in. We must remain open minded and flexible in His hands, so that we can be positioned aright for victory. Do not have stereotyped fighting strategies in mind, they could change from time to time, all in line with God's Word and Will.
