School of Hard Knocks

Verse of the day: Judges 3:2, (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it)

The generation after Joshua’s did not know the Lord, or what He had done for Israel, in bringing them into the Promise Land. Israel’s failure to remove the former inhabitants set up the next generation for troubling times. The Lord, in response to this generation’s rebellion, refused to remove their enemies, and leave them there to test Israel. It may seem rather drastic, and unlike God, to purposely expose His people to war, but this was actually a blessing. So often, we want peace and joy in our lives, but experience trials and tribulations, both internally and externally. When this happens, we push back and get discouraged and even question, “Why Lord?” What we miss in all this is that God is allowing the trials as both a test and a faith-building exercise. Romans 5:3-4 tells us, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” James 1:2-4 also says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Finally, 1 Peter 1:6-9 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” The bottom line is that God allowed Israel to be in a position to learn by way of the “school of hard knocks” because they were surrounded by enemies that were not going to let them rest. The only way that Israel would learn to survive is to experience war. So it is with us today. If we are going to learn to have peace, joy, and trust God through trials and tribulations, God must allow us to experience them. How do we know whether we can apply what we have learned if we are not tested? How do know where are faith is unless it is tested? Humanly speaking, we want peace and joy in the form of living tranquil lives, but the fact of the matter is that we have an enemy that wants to destroy us. He knows he cannot have our souls, as we belong to Jesus if we have truly trusted Him as our Savior. The next best thing the devil can do is make us useless for the cause of Christ, the furtherance of the Gospel. When we experience tough times, let us rejoice in that we are being tested for God’s glory. If we are doing nothing for Jesus, then the enemy will leave us in our state of slumber. However, once the fire in our hearts is ignited for the things of God, know that the enemy will come at us full force. If you have not yet known spiritual war, know it is coming; but also know that God has equipped us to stay in the battle by providing us with spiritual armor (Ephesians 6). Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, let Him lead us as we enter the battlefield, and know that the enemy can attack at any time. We must view our trials, not just as the battlefield, but also as the training ground in the spiritual school of hard knocks.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).