God cares about the details!

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” 
And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 
And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 
And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. (2 Samuel 5:17–25)

Two major lessons here for me. One is to ask the Lord about the challenges that lie before me. Do I fight them? Or do I not? Some of them involve others and that battle might be a training period for them and I need to stay out of it. Some may need supporting prayers. I cannot assume that all sickness needs healing or or every sin I see needs rebuking. I need to ask God if I’m to go to war and change things, or not.

The other lesson is more subtle, a battle plan that involves strategy and timing based on God's instructions and includes waiting. The first battle is about courage; the second is about deep trust and listening.

Yesterday’s sermon included instruction like these two. First a general encouragement to speak about Jesus to others; then more details about who to put in that category, then and suggestions for ways to do it and when. This message was out of a NT passage about winning the battle for souls, to me an obvious parallel to David’s OT battle against the enemies of God's people in a physical sense.

Jesus, I’m aware of the war for souls, and of the many ways those spiritual enemies try to thwart me from even asking You what to do, never mind doing it. Keep me alert to Your voice and how to fight so that You are glorified. Grant the details and keep my ears open and my whole being busy doing what You tell me to do.