Lately, God has been revealing strategy to me as part of His character. The things He purposes are part of His game plan because He sees the end from the beginning and therefore He isn’t just a step ahead but rather (at least) ten steps ahead! His focus is not on simply that present moment or even months in the future but years and years and years ahead.

Hallelujah! 

And this is a character trait of His that runs all throughout the Bible. God uses strategic moves in hearts, placement of people, and even in situations or circumstances.

I was really aware of it while I was reading through Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther a few weeks ago. It was reminding me just how strategic the Lord is when it comes to His plan and faithfulness. In the context of time for when these books are taking place, this is after captivity to Babylon. God strategically moves in the heart of king Cyrus to allow the rebuilding of the temple. Nehemiah is strategically placed as a cupbearer to a king that God grants him favor with to allow him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then we have Esther; Queen Vashti gets dethroned which allows Esther to come in as queen at such a crucial time for the Jewish people as there would be a plot against them. While reading through Esther, there was a certain moment that really stood out to me that I had not paid any attention to before: Haman had it in his mind and heart to get rid of Mordecai – Esther’s family member – but before he could go forth with this plan, there is a night the king is unable to sleep. As sleep eluded the king, he has records read to him and Mordecai’s mindfulness of the king in preventing a plot against his life is mentioned. The king then wonders if anything was done for this act and it’s revealed Mordecai had not yet been honored which allowed for the king to then be ready to put it in place.

God was strategically looking out for Mordecai, defending him from a plot for his life, and also allowing for perfect timing.

THIS is the God we serve. One who intentionally and strategically has delays, places people, defends us, and orders every moment of our lives for a future only He can see. We may not understand why some things are happening right now, why God is moving us or allowing pain, discomfort, or simply a less than ideal situation in our life (and that’s probably a definite understatement), or struggling to be patient and frustrated with timing but God is actually setting up the scene for His future glory. “Let Him cook” so to speak haha. But in all seriousness though, trust His heart…and strategy. He’s got the victory!

“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.””

‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬