JUDGES 3:1-2 – Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan. It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before.

THEME OF THE DAY. EQUIPPED FOR BATTLE. The greatest theologian and philosopher America has ever produced is arguably Jonathan Edwards. He was also an important instrument of revival, particularly during the first great awakening in the 18th century. With keen insight, he described the life of a Christian in this world. He wrote, “God has appointed this whole life to be all as a race or a battle; the state of rest wherein we shall be out of danger as to have no need of watching and fighting, is for another world.”

Is this how we live our lives? Do we start our day knowing we are entering hostile land full of evil spiritual foes seeking our destruction? The Apostle Paul reminds us of this reality in his letter to the Ephesians as well as the necessary equipping and equipment to successfully fight these foes – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-13). Yes, God has provided all we need to wage victorious spiritual warfare, but He does more. What He did in today’s scripture for Israel literally, He will do for us spiritually – equip us for battle. Let’s compare two things in what He did for them and what He is and will do for us.

First, God will not remove our enemies. He left nations that were hostile to Israel, not to destroy them, but to train them for war. And He will do the same thing for us. The Apostle Paul prayed to have his thorn in the flesh removed but God said “no” – So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Paul had a “messenger from Satan” assigned to him. He had to fight him daily and this was to keep his pride down. Friends, God will leave painful things, even spiritual enemies, to teach us to do battle against them in the strength of His grace. Without these enemies, we would drift into “mission creep” or become “battle complacent” that always leads to spiritual defeat.

Another thing God will do in equipping us to fight successful spiritual warfare is not only teach us about war, but to know our enemies – It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before (Judges 3:2). Young Christians are characterized by a lot of zeal and little knowledge. When spiritual warfare gets intense, they get discouraged, even depressed, wondering what is happening. Mature Christians have learned to not only fight victorious warfare, but are wise to the tactics of the evil one. Once again, we receive sound instruction from the Apostle Paul in this area – So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs (2 Corinthians 2:11b). Christian, do you know the tactics of the devil? Has the Lord, through His Word, been arming you with “warfare knowledge” of your foe? Without it, we are wide open and vulnerable to his attacks.

Yes, life is warfare. Let’s thank God for the victory and then let Him teach us how to walk equipped in that victory.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for daily teaching me to fight the good fight of faith; even when I fall, You pick me up.”

QUOTE: “Every day is a training day. Every day God teaches us new things of Himself, ourselves, and the wars we fight.”