Crouching David, hidden Deity
“And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 2 Samuel 5:24
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a classic production of Chinese Kung Fu film. In one of my personal favorite scenes, Li Mu Bai and Jen Yu cross swords among the treetops of a bamboo forest, leaping and floating from tree to tree, lightly balancing on the thinnest, topmost branches. Fantastical scenes like this are elements of the genre. Warrior legends of old dueled as superheroes among men.
King David saw the real thing. Before going to battle against the Philistines, he sought God’s counsel. The Lord told him to wait among the balsam trees, listening. For he himself was going before David into battle, and the sign of his coming would be the sound of marching in the treetops. As David crouched among the trees, the Lord was his hidden army above.
It is just the same for us today. The same Lord goes out before us. He leads from on high, swooping against our airy foes. In fact, he ever works among the trees. Was not his legendary Triumph from the treetop? Are not our enemies given into our hand through the tree? He marches forth in the tree on which he died! He walks invisible but powerful amidst its timber. Wherever the cross is preached, the mighty sound of his warring footsteps may be heard, and the hearts of his people may rejoice.