Judges 3:1-2
“These are the nations that the LORD left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.”
What do you think about the world today? I’ve heard many things from many different people. One might point to an overall drop in crime, poverty, and mortality rates as a sign that the world is actually really good right now. Others say that the world hasn’t been worse. Some say the end is near. Personally, I’m not sure it’s worse than two back-to-back world wars followed by a cold war be- tween two superpowers who threaten to end the world through mutually assured destruction. But I digress. I think the point I want to make is this: God can work through any circumstance or situation or world event to bring about His glory. So, let me ask a question then – if the world is really as bad as it is going to get, if the end really is near, why have children? Why focus on or minister to children? I think there is an argument that children represent hope. We have children because God is not done yet. Because children can still know the love of Christ, His passion revealed on the cross, even if the world is as dark as it has ever been.
The verse in Judges I shared above sheds some light on this. The Bible tells us why certain nations were left in the Promised Land. It’s not because the Israelites were sinful. It’s not because they doubted God and were fearful. The reason we are given is that God wants to test those who had not experienced battle. Modern Christians are not called to holy war against nations – we have no Promised Land to establish. But maybe God is teaching us spiritual warfare. Maybe things get bad not because God has left, but because He is beside us, wanting to teach us how to fight against the dark. Who would you rather have next to you in battle than God your Father? My challenge to you is this: don’t throw up your hands and give it all up because it’s too dark to see. Get a new vantage point, trust that God is near and that He wants to teach you how to fight. Not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and authorities, the principalities, and powers of this present darkness.
Sincerely,
Dillon
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