“The Basics”  [Reflections On Sun Tsu's  Art Of War  Chapter7 #8) (Isaiah 30:15; 32:17)

So when it comes to war today,
It’s as before in three main ways –
To win; to move; to make a change;
Each has a factor in a range.

To win a battle or a war,
Deceit is what you’re looking for –
Dissimulation, cunning ways,
“Un-expectation” often pays.

To be established, you will see
Such actions, done effectively,
Will bring your mission to success,
If plans employed are thus the best.

Before you move, you first must judge
To what advantage you now budge
From where you are in stillness now –
What will be gained if move’s allowed?

Third aspect, that of making change,
It’s all in how you rearrange
Your troops – disperse or concentrate?
Divide and scatter widely? wait –

Until it’s best in unity
To then regroup – don’t let them see
The actual – let them perceive
Each move you make in make-believe.

Such actions need a quietness,
Like life on Kingdom-layer – lest
We move to poke the bear to gain
Some action, dropping inner pain.

For stillness is to such a one,
Unsettledness; and lack of fun
Is trouble deep within his heart;
While quietness and trust impart –

A restlessness he cannot bear;
Not strength, but weakness – struggle there;
A turning deep within’s required
And rest of soul should be desired.

For me the Kingdom-layer gives this –
A place to stand and grow amidst
The world, and bustle of attack;
Allowing us to stop, stand back –

Assess and reassess the scene;
To win, to move, to change what’s been;
As Jesus, now our general,
Refreshes view, some option tells.

Lord, thanks for this fine word today,
As we in You abide, obey
You, though we might not see too clear –
Help us abide, Your guidance hear.

Thanks Lord for this.

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