Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you. Deuteronomy 9:1-3 NIV
Moses recounts these events to the people of Israel as a reminder that God is always there. Yet while God reminds us of troubles ahead, he always wins the victory in his time!
We often times wonder why God doesn’t always secure these victories quickly and all at once. He could, if he desired to; yet, we often wander through our valleys for some time before the victory is won. Why doesn’t God win these battles for us immediately and all at once?
He gives us clues in his word.
Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. Deuteronomy 7:21-22 NIV
While the Lord led the Israelites through the wilderness and had them battle through one enemy after another, he had adequate reason not to drive them all out at once. He told them that the “wild animals” would multiply around them, insuring yet another threat to their existence.
How many of us would’ve had the foresight to envision that coming? We must trust that Only our Lord sees these things. We are blessed to have him who holds all the answers and has NEVER lost a battle on our side!
If he solved our problems and won our battles too quickly, what else might arise that could put us in even a more dire situation?
Consider this from Paul the Apostle:
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NIV
One could argue that Paul had enough of a burden building the early churches. Even so, the Lord didn’t alleviate Paul of this affliction, this thorn. Why? Because all things are to be done his way and in his time. We don’t need to wonder so much, as to be still and trust in him. He has the reason, we may never have it. What does it matter if we have given all over to him?
He is always there and always has the answer. He is good at this, we are not!
Remember:
God is love; and love never fails.
Barnabas
Special thanks for this guest submission by Barnabas.