Strat·e·gy
noun
1. a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim.
“time to develop a coherent economic strategy”
“nonprovocative defense strategies”
| synonyms: | master plan, grand design, game plan, plan (of action), action plan, policy, program; |
Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God… So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:6, 8
In 1 Samuel 30, David and his men experienced a most devastating attack on their home front while they were out on the battlefield. The Amalekites had raided their home front, burning their camp, and taking the women and children and goods captive. David’s men were so devastated that they talked of stoning David. David himself was greatly distressed. Suddenly, David remembered to “encourage himself in the Lord” and was then told by the Lord to pursue the Amalekites, overtake and recover all. David and his men did just that and they were famously successful. They pursued the enemy, they overtook the enemy, they recovered all that was stolen, and then they so raided the enemy that David had spoils to give to the elders of over a dozen cities in Judah, truly a successful campaign.
I believe that in order for us to Thrive we are all to quit the introspective analyzing of the losses that many have experienced and enact a godly 4-part strategy: Pursue, Overtake, Recover All, & Spoil.
Many of us, while in the service of the Lord, have suddenly found ourselves raided by the enemy. He has swept in and viciously attacked our health, our wealth and our relationships. This is- by very nature- the antithesis of Thriving.There is a four-staged strategy for Thriving. Here is the practical equivalent for each of these stages David went through.
- Pursue!
There is a specific grace to step into the pursuit stage. What pursue means for us today is to identify our losses and determine to contend for restoration. This is an important stage, as we won’t know if we are successful if we don’t identify what has been taken from us. For some of us it is very obvious but for some of us we need to take the inventory of recent loss or robbery from the enemy and determine it is not okay. Look back at where you have been raided by the enemy and determine that you are going to get it back or some equivalent of restoration.
- Overtake!
This is a time to prioritize the overtaking stage. As we interpret David’s battle for us today, we will see that what we must next be secured in is true hope. Hope is the expectation of good from God as we go after losses. Become convinced that God did not cause our losses, and it is in His heart to see us regain what we have lost. David ran with determination against the Amalekites as he became convinced that God didn’t want him to live with his losses. Hope is the fuel for overtaking the enemy.
- Recover All!
This is the timetable for experiencing much of the recovering of what was lost. In this recovery stage we decree and declare and stand and believe. Our war today is not against flesh and blood but it is against the lies of the enemy, specifically about the nature of God. He is absolutely good. Once we recover our decrees and declarations from a foundation of resolve, we will begin to see that which was lost – given back. Expect great things in this season with evidences and surprises that confirm the thief is paying back. If you will take the process as seriously as David did you will step into as much radical recovery as he did.
- Spoil!
The word spoil means to plunder or take the goods from. David now went beyond just recovering all and it was now time to make the enemy restore sevenfold what he had stolen. Step into a spirit of radical thanksgiving. As evidences of the spoil coming to you manifests, make sure to thank God for every little thing that begins to happen. “Spoiling” happens in an atmosphere of thanksgiving. Aggressively look for and recognize every token of grace that God is pouring out, and you will see your spoil and your plunder abound. This is His heart for you.
God wants to see you Thriving in every aspect of your life. The losses incurred through the destruction of the enemy are setbacks to the abundant life God intended for you. However, through implementation of this strategy you can recover beyond the point of mere survival and truly THRIVE.
Johnny Enlow is a social reformer, international speaker, spiritual mentor, and author of The Seven Mountain Prophecy, The Seven Mountain Mantle, and Rainbow God. He and his wife Elizabeth are focused on awakening individuals to their call to provide practical solutions from the heart of God for every problem in society – until the real God of all of life is displayed in the seven primary areas of culture in all nations: Media, Arts and Entertainment, Government, Family, Religion, Economy, and Education. Connect with him on his website.
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