Listen to Audio Devotion
These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience)– Judges 3:1-2
I’m guessing we all have asked this question, “When will this battle end? Why doesn’t God just take it way and relieve me of my distress?” I’m not talking about the problem of evil. that’s a question for another day. This one’s a very personal question where a Christian is trying to figure out how God could be working through the endless struggle. After all, Paul said to the Romans, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Then how’s it possible that the present struggle is working for my good.
A similar question was on the minds of the Israelites battling the Canaanites. When God could’ve easily driven out the Canaanite armies, why didn’t He? One reason we see is that the Israelites didn’t believe that God could actually do it. That’s not it. God also wanted to teach the Israelites how to fight. He did want to give them the land of Canaan, but He didn’t want to give it to them without a fight. He repeatedly put them to the test, so that they would learn to trust Him through the fight.
Similar to what the Israelites experienced, He wants us to continue to rely on His grace and not on our own strength. Many of our life’s difficulties and challenges are put there on purpose, to keep us humble. This indicates that occasionally God wills us to battle a smaller sin in order to prevent us from committing a bigger one—pride. Because if we had instantly found a breakthrough in our battles, we would’ve definitely boasted of our own strength.
Lastly, God did not repeatedly test Israel so that they might become comfortable with having the enemy around. Instead, He kept them around so that Israel could learn to stand against the enemy and fight. Similarly, we shouldn’t become complacent with the fact that the battle persists in our lives. When you are tempted to give up, keep in mind what God is doing through your circumstances. Focus on Christ, whose victory is assured by His resurrection. Focus on Christ, who defended you when you were His enemy. Focus on Christ because He is the only Savior who can give you the courage to stand and who will always be there to catch you when you fall. And today my friends when you go to battle. Focus on Christ.
Let’s Pray
Lord Jesus, teach us to focus on You for the victory. You help us overcome, and when we do let all the glory belong to You alone. Thanks in advance for the victory. In your name we pray. Amen
