Gettysburg Review - Buford’s Discernment

via TJC

 

Philippians 1:9-10  …may your love abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent...

Psalm 32:8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.

1 Chronicle 12:32  The sons of Issachar were men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.

TJC uses actual battlefield events to instruct men regarding their own battles. During this year's Gettysburg Battlefield event on 15 Oct 2022, we visited the site that initiated the battle. General John Buford and the Union 1st Cavalry were the first to encounter Confederate infantry on 30 Jun 1863. Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right! - Charles SpurgeonBuford had no natural knowledge of what he was actually ‘seeing’. Clearly, Confederate infantry was moving alone, without cavalry, in enemy territory. As Buford considered what may be happening, he began to exercise discernment. Discernment is a spiritual perception that does not require natural knowledge. Buford did not want to be at war. Regardless, the battle was here. He could have chosen not to see and ignore the problem. But he chose to face the problem. His discernment told him Lee’s Confederate army had turned and was headed for Gettysburg. This same insight led Buford to understand the Union army’s leadership weaknesses AND the advantage of having the high ground surrounding the town of Gettysburg.  He chose to put his discernment into action, positioning his 2,500 cavalrymen on the ground to slow down the 72,000 Confederates'. This allowed the Union army time to form positions on the high ground, eventually winning the battle. 

Daily Battle Order:

Natural gifting is good. Discernment is better. Acting on discernment is the best. What are you ‘seeing’ today regarding protecting your wife, children, or grandchildren? Are you vacating the high ground or securing it? Are you being outflanked? Practice discernment to assess the movements of your enemy. Ask the Lord WHAT to do and be open to positioning yourself in a manner that benefits those in your care.