Topic: Beauty of Warfare
Text: Judges 3:1-6
Key verse: He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.
God\’s ways are always higher than our ways, he chose to deliver the Israelites through the Red sea even though they were armed for battle, but in our text today we read that he made the generation who had not experienced any wars yet to learn warfare. This implies that the art of warfare is a necessary skill for every child of God.
If all your life you have lived with everything always working out according to your expectations and suddenly you begin to encounter disappointments, delay and frustration it’s all part of the diet prepared by a loving heavenly father for your spiritual growth, development and maturity. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. Hebrews 5:8 Warfare is a tool in the hand of God for proving his people.
These are the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. The enemies of the Israelites were identified by name. Have you identified who you are wrestling with?
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
God has given us a clear description of who we are to wage war against. We must understand their position, their nature and characteristics to be able to defeat them. Every enemy we do not overcome will keep us in bondage and oppression until we rebel. The enemy nations tested their obedience to God\’s word. The challenges you are facing or have faced, came to test your obedience to God\’s word. They came to prove your trust in God.
It’s easy to call God Jehovah Jireh, when your house is full and your account is overflowing, paying your tithe and giving to God is like a child enjoying ice cream, not much effort is required. Giving sacrificially when you are facing challenges in your business takes a lot of faith and is warfare! The armor of God contains the weapons for dealing with these enemies. Sometimes we prefer to run from the human beings causing us pain by changing jobs, sending them out of our homes or cutting off any ties with them, but the relief is only temporal because these evil spirits will simple plant another person in your life, even your family members.
Take time today to answer these questions. Where have l experienced the greatest test in my life? Have l failed or passed the test? Has it affected my relationship with God negatively? Have l come into captivity to any enemy? What weapon do l need to overcome at this time? Warfare is a tool designed to give you access, possession and dominion. You either fight for what is yours or serve others with what is rightfully yours, that is the beauty of warfare.
Victory is guaranteed in God as long as you avoid an unequal yoke in marriage. If you have made a wrong decision in that area like the Israelites, fight to preserve your faith. But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 2 Cor. 2:14
You will be victorious in Jesus name and your testimony will bring salvation and encouragement to others! Our union and surrender to God is the key to consistent triumph!
Roses & Thorns