Get A Plan - NOT! (What???)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him.  But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold.  The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim.  So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”  The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead.  I will certainly hand them over to you.” [2 Samuel 5.17-19]

As consistent as "getting a plan" and then presenting it to God for a simple yes or no answer is in the passage above, the following passage totally disrupts that consistency and warrants further consideration in seeking God's will.

But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim.  And again David asked the Lord what to do.  “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied.  “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.  When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert!  That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” [2 Samuel 5.22-24]

I kind of thought getting a plan and then going to God sounded too good to be true.  

However, there is still something to be learned here!  There may indeed be times we can solicit God's simple "yes" or "no" answers.  But we must remain mindful that God is a God of relationship and, relationships involve communication.  Communication is not just one-sided!  If we limit God to "yes" or "no" then we have reduced Him to little more than a Ouija board to be consulted then stuck back on the shelf or in a closet!

The lessons that may be learned from David's experiences are vast.  And, it seems perhaps the practice of asking God yes-or-no questions is a valid way to seek God's will - however - it is not the only way to seek God's will.  Sometimes, it is appropriate to ask God open-endedly, "What?"

Father, I sure thought I was on to something over the last three days!  But today reminds me that You are in control 100% and my best solutions sometimes need to be silenced so that You might spell out every detail of what I am to do!