The rustling of the breeze in the trees

The young man was wrestling with a detour in his life plan. To all appearances, it looked like he was derailed from the track he had laid with all good intentions, and in a very real sense, he was. But, I asked him if it were possible that God was working him into a whole new plan, doing something in his life of far greater purpose than he might ever have discovered if the derailment had never occurred. My counsel to him was that he wait and listen.

After having walked with the Lord for 4 decades, I know a thing or two about detours! Even those that came out of my own foolish decisions, the Mighty God has used to create new opportunities, deeper intimacy with Him, and/or character in me. Like most people, at the time of these detours, I usually complain or grow fearful. “Oh no, this can’t be happening. I must regain control.” But, I am learning to listen carefully and look for the new opportunities that are created by the unexpected developments in my life. If that all sounds like a naïve optimism to you, I am sorry. It is actually faith, active and focused, on the Lord’s ability to "cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT) It is not a passive resignation to fate.

As long as we have the idea that we are a god, He cannot be our LORD. Do you attempt to live as a god, controlling your world, forcing your plans? You might succeed, for a time. Jesus said it was ‘hard for a rich man to come into the Kingdom of God.’ As long as we have resources, our natural bent is to use them to remain self-sufficient, large and in charge! And, many of us are rich enough to avoid reliance on God for a very long time!

After David was crowned king in ancient Israel, the perpetual enemy of God’s people, the Philistines, immediately sent an army to bring him down. They thought they could defeat him while his kingdom was young, before he had the chance to consolidate his strength. But, consistent with his faith, David knew enough not to react to his foes. Instead, he made the choice to respond to his God! "So David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.” (2 Samuel 5:19, NIV) Even then, David didn’t just rush off to do battle. He continued to be under orders, led by the Lord. The first skirmish brought a defeat of his enemies, but they regrouped and came back for more. Once more he prayed for guidance. This time God asked him to wait for a strange signal. "When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It’s a signal that God is going ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp.” (2 Samuel 5:24, The Message) It was a sound like a breeze blowing through the tree tops, or like a troop moving through a grove of trees, quietly, yet causing rustling of leaves. Ancient rabbinic tradition suggests that David was waiting to hear the angels assembling above his army. Neat idea, isn’t it? The story concludes that David was totally obedient, waiting until he heard the promised sound, then going out courageously. He won a decisive victory under God’s guidance.

So, are you listening for the signal of God?
Are you praying actively, yet with profound faith allowing the Spirit of God to say when and where you move?

It’s not all that easy to put all of our plans in secondary position to His plan. There is much inside of us that clamors for comfort, fulfillment, and expression that can make us deaf to the persistent, yet quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. There is a tumult going on around us – a thousand voices telling us to turn here, go there, do this, don’t do that – so that we must withdraw to contemplation of the words of the Lord, to hear the rustling of the breeze in the treetops that signals His plan for us.

__________

Sweet Wind

There's a wind a-blowin'
All across the land
A fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again
Don't know where it comes from
Don't know where it goes
But let it blow over me
Oh sweet wind
Come and blow over me

There's a rain a-pourin'
Showers from above
Mercy drops are comin'
Mercy drops of love
Turn your face to heaven
Let the water pour
Well let it pour over me
Oh sweet rain
Come and pour over me

There's a fire burnin'
Fallin' from the sky
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I
Can you feel it burnin'
Burn the sacrifice
Well let it burn over me
Oh sweet fire
Come and burn over me

© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Vineyard Songs Canada
ION Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
David Ruis

CCLI License No. 810055