Strategic Ideas

With each passing year, I become more convinced of the tremendous value of an inspired strategic idea. Often, we look for God’s provision or intervention to occur without a tactical plan, but frequently that isn’t the process. What happens is a God-induced strategic idea.

There are too many biblical illustrations of these to list, but let’s mention a few that support this reality:

• The strategic idea to throw a piece of wood into the bitter water so millions of people could drink (Exodus 15:22–25).
• The strategic idea in a severe famine to ask a widow and her son to feed a prophet with their final meal, instead of eating it themselves; by obeying, they would not starve and die, as many other families did (1 Kings 17:8–15).
• The strategic idea of asking a widow in debt, who was about to lose her two sons, what she had in her house. Then instructing her to borrow empty jars from others and pour her only possession—a small amount of olive oil—into the other jars until they were full; then to sell the miraculous oil and pay the debt (2 Kings 4:1–7).
• The strategic idea to send a military officer with a disease to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times, resulting in his complete healing (2 Kings 5:1–14).
• The strategic idea to send the praise and worship team out ahead of the military troops, which produced a phenomenal victory (2 Chronicles 20:21–26).
• The strategic idea to eat vegetables, instead of the king’s rich foods, to be healthier and better nourished, thus becoming standouts among the finest young men in the land (Daniel 1:8–16).
• The strategic idea to use existing water pots and fresh water to procure the best wine and save a wedding reception (John 2:6–10).
• The strategic idea to take a small lunch, then bless, break, and distribute it to feed thousands of people (Matthew 14:13–21).
• The strategic idea to spit and make mud and put it on the eyes of a blind man. Then telling him to go wash to restore his sight (John 9:6–7).
• The strategic idea to not leave a sinking ship in order to be saved (Acts 27:21–44).

Do you see common threads running through each of these events?

In every case, the inspired idea featured divine intervention. The strategy made use of what the recipients already possessed, such as an available resource or a repositioning of themselves. And in each case, the divine provision was wrapped up in the familiar; the key component leading to the miracle didn’t “magically” appear.

God often gives strategies using the ordinary, in an unordinary way, to get extraordinary results.

All this highlights the importance of an inspired idea. We’re told, “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do” (Proverbs 4:7 GNT). One form of divine wisdom is a strategic idea, and the good news is that God doesn’t withhold wisdom. When we face uncommon challenges, the apostle James instructs us:

If you need wisdom [a strategic idea], ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5)

He’ll make this wisdom plain, not holding back or hiding it from you. This is His promise.

Respond

Describe a time when you asked the Lord for wisdom [a strategic idea]in a situation.

What happened?

Prayer

Precious Savior, thank You that in every situation You are there. Your wisdom and guidance are available to me. I love You.