There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
- DAILY READING – Galatians 5:1-15; Lamentations 5; Psalm 147
In the history of Israel, many times, they have won their wars, not because of strength or military prowess, but simply because they had the wisdom of God on their side.
In the six day war in June 1967, Israel won by the element of surprise, through carrying out a preemptive attack against the Arabs. However, recently declassified documents confirm that Egypt, Syria and Jordan, had been the ones who had planned to first attack Israel.
A couple of weeks prior to the war, the Egyptians had planned to launch bombers against Israel to take out their airfields and other strategic military positions. They had also deployed a number of tank units that were prepared to slice through the country. Grossly outnumbered, Israel stood no chance against its great enemies.
The Israelis had tried to convince the American President Lyndon Johnson to provide support, but the U.S was already involved with war in Vietnam and wasn’t prepared to provide any type of military assistance in defending Israel. When it was clear the U.S was not going to help, the Israeli government made one more request; Israel’s request was time. They wanted the U.S to help delay Egypt’s plan of immediate attack. It was a request which became a game changer.
The U.S president warned Egypt not to attack and informed the Soviet Union that if Egypt did attack, the U.S would hold the Russians accountable. The combined pressure from the U.S and Russia proved to be enough to convince Egypt to postpone their attack. And that was all Israel needed. That little delay cost Egypt the victory.
In that window of time, Israel chose to take the offensive. The Israeli air force in a surprise attack, struck suddenly and wiped out the Egyptian and Syrian air forces while they were still on the ground, and therefore had no resistance at all in the air. Two days later the Israelis destroyed almost all of the Egyptian tanks, thereby eliminating the last opportunity the Arab countries had to mount any form of attack.
Obviously, air superiority ranks first. The Israeli Air Force’s success at catching the Egyptian and Syrian air forces on the ground paved the way for full Israeli military control of the skies thereafter. Basically, the Israelis took the initiative away from Egypt and then turned it around and did exactly what the Egyptians were planning to do to Israel.
in Daniel chapter 2, when Nebuchadnezzar put the wise men of Babylon under pressure to interpret his dream, Daniel asked for time. Within that time he was able to seek God’s face and get the needed answer. Sometimes all you really need is time; Time in which to think that situation through, time in which to consult The Spirit of God, time in which to survey the options available.
Important decisions are not to be taken in a hurry. It is part of the enemy’s tactics to put you under pressure, to hurry you to take a rash decision, to make you feel it is now or never. But oftentimes you need time to arrive at the best possible solution.
Many times God does not speak in a hurry. Like Elijah waited for the still small voice, sometimes you have to wait in His Presence until He drops into your spirit what next to do.
Isaiah 28:16 says ‘He that believeth shall not make haste.’ It does not mean you procrastinate or delay in life, rather it is important to take time to hear what God is saying. In 1 Samuel 30, when David came back and found that the Amalekites had attacked and burnt his home at Ziglag and taken away his family, he could have started running after them immediately, but he took the time to seek counsel from The Lord. Based on The Lord’s counsel he pursued, overtook and recovered all.
Indeed in the battles of life, we need time to plan and strategize. Most importantly we need time to get divine direction. We need the Lord’s counsel to win .
Proverbs 19:21 says ‘There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.’
No matter how busy your schedule take time to hear from God. Do not just rush into battle. At each juncture, let your heart connect to heaven. Always ask ‘Lord what are you saying? Lord what should I do?’. Those who hear from God, are heard by men. No matter the pressure take time to wait on The Lord, because when you wait upon The Lord your strength is renewed and you mount up with wings as eagles. Yes, it may take time to receive divine counsel, but once God has spoken, wisdom is released and speedy accomplishment is established.
PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to continually wait upon you so as to receive the divine wisdom I need for supernatural accomplishments in my life in Jesus Name..
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God’s promises in Christ in your life may appear delayed, but never forget that delays are not denials. WORDBITE 222.