Outcome Not Operation

In 2 Samuel 5, verses 17-25, we see perfect demonstrations of God’s power in His promises.

Suffering from opposition and subsequent immobilization of Philistine troops to capture him, David went into a stronghold.  There he consulted the Lord as to what to do.

“So David asked the Lord, ‘Should I go out to fight the Philistines?  Will you hand them over to me?’”  (verse 19)

And the answer came back from the Lord in verse 20, “Yes, go ahead.  I will certainly hand them over to you.”

So David defeated his enemies, and afterwards appropriately praised God for his victory.  “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” David said in verse 20.

But after a while, the Philistines returned again an this time spread out across the valley to destroy the king.

And David consulted God once again.
And this time the answer was different.
“‘Do not attack them straight on,’ The Lord replied, ‘Instead circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.’”  (verse 23)

The text tells us that David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way to Gezer.

Two times we see David faithfully consulting the Lord as to what to do.
Yet two times we see God answer in a completely different way.
Two times we see successful victory.

One time, in response to David’s plea for help, the answer was: go fight.
The second time the answer was: go around.

And yet both would bring the desired protection and ultimate victory.

The word, “testimony”, found in the Old Testament, carries with it an implication from it’s root word to mean, in part, “do again.”
And so when we give a testimony of God’s faithfulness, we are in actuality saying to God, “You did it once, now could you do it again?!”

God doesn't change.
But His methods of operation change.
And oftentimes JUST when we think we have His ways figured out… JUST when we think we have mastered His manner, He shifts His mode.
His divine workings are a mystery.. .but they can always be trusted.

David consults the Father because He understands that God’s ways are better than his own.  And that where God has promised victory, God will equip the soldier.

The testimony of the Lord doesn’t expose process… it reveals promise.
What worked for one season, might not work in another.
One moment He may call us to, “stand still” (2 Chron 20:17), and other times He may assign us to “Get up and fight… for {He} have given you victory over them!”  (Judges 7:9).

But one thing is for sure - the God who called you to it, will be with you in it, and will not fail you.
Although His methods change, He does not.  “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.”  (Lam 3:22)

The testimony of the Lord shows outcome not operation.