BATTLE READY

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): the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses. (‭Judges‬ ‭3‬:‭1-4‬ NIV)

One of the greatest fears of military commanders is when everything is going well and complaceny sets into the troops.  When there is "no cause" for battle - the desire to train and remain sharp and effective seems to diminish.  It's only when we are actively engaged with the enemy do we hone in on our skills and abilities.

A number of years ago President Carter sent in some special troops to Iran to free some hostages that had been imprisoned.  At the time, the United States was not actively in any war with any nation and our men were not fully equipped for the mission - neither was their equippment.  Even though there was a measure of success - there was also much failure through glitches and problems with helicopters and weaponry.

In God's wisdom, as The Children Of Isreal began to claim the land that was promised them, we find this interesting passage of scripture.  The basic premise is this: To keep Israel sharp and battle ready - God would leave some enemy in the land in order to keep them trained and ready at all times.

It is the same with us.  God could come in and wipe out all of your problems and make your life care free - but He doesn't.  He leaves those problems (and yes, those people) in your life in order to keep you on your knees and in prayer.  In other words, He wants to keep you battle ready.

This passage tells us that God left certain groups of people "to test" them. Wow! That gives a whole new perspective on my problems and the people I'm dealing with. They might not know it but God is using them to make me stronger and more powerful in kingdom life.

As a parent, I want to protect my children and grandchildren.  I don't want them to go through some of the things that I've gone through.  But the reality is this - if they don't go through their own battles and their own problems - how will they ever get strong in the ways of the Lord?

We can't make everything easy for our kids or they will never know what it is really like to live in the real world.

The only way that Eagles learn to fly is to be pushed out of the nest.  They only way that you will grow as a Christian is that you will go through some trial with something or with someone.  

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭6-7‬ NLT)

No matter what you are going through - God is greater than every trial or difficulty.  Yes, it might be a trial that you've created, but it also might be a battle that God has created in order to make you stronger in the ways of the Lord.  Trust Him to bring you through like gold.