WHY WON’T SOME BATTLES JUST GO AWAY: STRIKE THE GROUND

 

            “…that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan (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” (Judges 3:1-2).

 

            Why won’t some battles just go away? Why won’t some enemies and adversaries just be defeated? Why do I have to continue facing this same enemy over and over again? Why do I have to keep fighting this same battle over and over again? Why can’t I just be delivered and set free from this struggle? Why do I keep experiencing the same conflict over and over again? Why do I keep experiencing the same struggle over and over again? Can’t I just finally be over and done with this? Can’t I just know and experience victory in my life? Can’t I just experience victory and triumph in my life instead of always fighting? Why do I have to keep fighting battle after battle and enemy after enemy? Can’t I just experience a time of rest in my life? Can’t I just know peace? If this is truly the inheritance given to me from my God why are there still battles? Why are there still conflicts?

 

            Have you ever found yourself asking one or more of these questions? Have you ever found yourself wrestling and struggling with fighting the same battle over and over again? Have you ever found yourself asking God through quiet times of prayers—perhaps even through tears and much weeping—why these enemies and adversaries continue to remain within your life? If you have found yourself asking at least one of these questions I have good news for you—you are not alone. In the fifth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Peter we find the following words penned by this disciple who personally walked with the LORD: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in all the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9). KNOWING THAT THE SAME SUFFERINGS ARE EXPERIENCED BY YOUR BROTHERHOOD IN THE WORLD! My friend that is good news. Suffering never takes place in a vacuum. Trials never take place in a vacuum. I know you might be tempted to think you are the only one who feels the way you do but I can assure you that one of the greatest truths and one of the most beautiful realities of the body of Christ is that there is guaranteed to be at least one brother and/or one sister who is asking the same questions you are. I guarantee you there is at least one brother and/or one sister who is fighting the same battle as you yourself are.

 

            In the previous chapter of the same epistle written by the apostle Peter we find the following words written by this man whom Jesus revealed that Satan asked to have him that he might sift him as wheat. Remember that it was concerning Peter Jesus revealed that Satan asked to have him that he might sift him as wheat. What did Jesus say to Simon Peter immediately after this? Do you remember? Jesus declared unto him that He prayed for him that his faith would not fail. But this wasn’t all Jesus said, was it? Jesus would also declare unto Peter, saying, “…and when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren.” How wonderful and marvelous this truly is that Simon Peter’s faith could be tested—and once it was tested he would return again and would strengthen his brethren. It is this same Simon Peter who penned the following words:

 

            “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

 

            What’s more is that it was this same Simon Peter—this same Simon Peter whose faith Jesus said would be tested and this same Simon Peter who denied our Lord three times—who would write the following words in the opening chapter of this same first epistle:

 

            “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 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, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9).

 

            In the third chapter of the Old Testament book of Judges we find the author making quite the unique and powerful statement—one that has the potential to derail our faith if we are not careful. It was in the opening verse of this passage the author wrote of nations which the LORD left. What we must recognize and understand, however, is that there was a purpose behind what was left. We have this expectation that God can and will immediately, quickly and automatically remove every thing from our life—every thing we struggled with, every enemy we faced, every battle we faced, every conflict we have encountered. We have this expectation of God that He can and will always do a quick and immediate work within our lives and yet the truth of the matter is that this simply is not the case. Notice in this passage of Scripture that God left nations within the land of Canaan and did so for a very specific reason—“that He might test Israel by them.” Oh beloved I have said it before and I feel the need to say it again—FAITH THAT CANNOT BE TESTED CANNOT BE TRUSTED! God left nations in the land that He might test the children of Israel—but not only to test them but to test those who had not known any of the wars in Canaan. The generation of which the author spoke of was a generation that did not know the battles and wars which Joshua and that generation had fought to secure the Promised Land. In fact it is in the second chapter where we read of the death of Joshua and that when all that generation had been gathered to their fathers another generation arose after them “who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

 

            The generation of which the author speaks of is this generation who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. The LORD could have completely driven out the nations from the midst of the land during the days of Joshua and that generation, however, that would have been of no benefit to the next generation. There arose another generation after the death of Joshua and his generation whom the LORD would be tested. The purpose and reason for this testing is because they had not known any of the wars in Canaan. Moreover, the author of this Old Testament book writes that “this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war” (Judges 3:2). Stop right there and consider those words for they still ring true in our generation and within our lives today. God deliberately leaves enemies, adversaries, struggles, conflicts, battles, wars and the like within our lives—not only to test us but also to teach us to war. But brother I know how to war. I have fought enough battles to know how to wage war against the enemy. I have fought enough battles and enough enemies to know how to war that there is no need for any further conflicts, struggles or battles.

 

            Are you one who thinks this way? Are you one who feels you have had enough of battles and conflicts within your life? Are you one who feels like you have engaged enough enemies within your life that you somehow deserve a respite from conflict and battles? Are you on who feels like you have fought enough battles in your life and you somehow deserve rest and peace from enemies round about? Oh it is true that there are and there might be seasons within our life when such rest and peace might in fact be present and manifested, however, we were never promised a life absent conflict, absent struggle, absent battles and absent warfare. What’s more is that we must needs realize that although we might have fought certain battles and although we might have gained certain victory in certain enemies and over certain enemies that doesn’t mean the same power which we previously experienced is enough to sustain is in what we face today. We might have experienced victory and triumph in our lives—perhaps even over unclean spirits, demonic forces, principalities, spiritual wickedness and rulers of darkness in high places—however, Scripture reminds us that there is a progression in our warfare.

 

            If you turn to the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel written by the apostle Matthew you will find that Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and “gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out” (Matthew 10:1-). When speaking to them directly Jesus commanded them to “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, CAST OUT DEMONS” (Matthew 10:8). In the tenth chapter of this gospel we find the disciples being given authority and power over unclean spirits and to cast them out. When, however, we come to the seventeenth chapter we find the disciples being confronted with a father whose sun was an epileptic and suffered severely often falling into the fire and often into the water. What you will notice is that when Jesus came down from the mountains this father came to Him kneeling down to Him and declared how he brought his son to His disciples “but they could not cure him” (Matthew 17:16). Jesus immediately responds by declaring, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me.” Immediately Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him and the child was cured from that very hour. The apostle Matthew who was one of the nine disciples who attempted to drive out this unclean spirit wrote how they came to Him privately asking why they could not cast it out. Jesus’ response to them was twofold for He first acknowledged their unbelief before moving on and declaring that this kind [this kind of unclean spirit] does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

 

            You will notice that at this time there were two things which were absent from the lives of the disciples—fasting and prayer. In all reality there was a third reality that was absent from the lives of the disciples during their time walking with Jesus—namely, the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember that Jesus responded to those who came to Him about His disciples fasting and declared unto them that so long as the bridegroom was with them they would not fast. Jesus would also go on to declare that the time was coming when the bridegroom would be taken from them and in that day they would fast. What’s more is Jesus did teach them to pray according to what we know as “The Lord’s Prayer,” however, their prayer life was not the way we know prayer to be since they were walking with God in the flesh. The disciples walked with and followed Jesus who was the express image of the invisible God and therefore—although they asked Him to teach them how to pray—they would not truly pray the way we know prayer to be until after He was risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father. Not only this but at that time the Holy Spirit had not yet been manifested and poured out for that would not come until AFTER Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.

 

            If there is one thing this passage reveals it’s that although Jesus gave them power and authority over unclean spirits while He was with them there were certain things they would not be able to do while He was still present among them. The disciples were not fasting while Jesus was still with them. The disciples did not have the indwelling and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit at that time. Moreover the disciples were not praying with their very prayers being set on fire by the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. It is based on this reality we must conclude that while we might have been given power and authority in previous days that power alone is not sufficient enough to face what we can and will face in the days ahead—perhaps even the days in which we were living. Oh we might have cast out and exercised authority and power over certain unclean spirits in the past, however, that authority and power is not sufficient enough for what we can and will face the longer we walk with the Lord. Yesterday’s power and yesterday’s authority does in fact prepare us for that which we can and will face in the coming days, however, there is a great need for us to recognize that there are and there will be enemies and adversaries that are greater and mightier than us and than what we are able to engage. We must continually be men and women who commit ourselves to prayer and fasting and must never rely in our own strength—and not only in our own strength but also in the strength we were given yesterday. Yesterday’s strength may and in most cases cannot and will not be enough for today’s crises , today’s struggles, today’s battles and today’s wars.

 

            The LORD deliberately left nations within the land that He might teach a new generation to know war—those who had not formerly know it. Beloved brother, dear sister—this is something we must needs recognize for we must never presume to think that we know everything there is to war. We must never be so naïve, so proud or so arrogant to think that we know everything there is about spiritual warfare, about resisting the devil, about casting down imaginations and about taking every thought captive. We must never become so self-absorbed in our own victories and battles won that we fail to recognize that God can and God will allow certain battles, certain enemies, certain struggles to remain within our lives that He might continue to teach us to war. As if this weren’t enough we must needs understand and acknowledge the fact that God can and will allow certain battles and enemies to remain within our lives knowing that perseverance and fervency is needed in prayer. There are certain battles that will not be one in a single moment of time. There are certain conflicts and struggles that can and will remain in our lives—not only that God might CONTINUE to teach us to war but also that we might continue fighting until that enemy is defeated. To help illustrate this all the more I am reminded of an instance in the life of the prophet Elisha and the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the book of Second Kings:

 

            “Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen. And Elisha said to him, Take a bow and some arrows. So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, Put your hand on the bow. So he put his hand on it, And Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. And he said, Open the east window; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot; and he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you. Must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them. Then he said, Take the arrows; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, Strike the ground; so he struck the ground three times, and stopped. And the man of God was angry with him, and said, You should have struck five or sick times; then you would have struck Syria till you have destroyed it! B it now you will strike Syria only three times” (2 Kings 13:14-21).

 

            STRIKE THE GROUND! These words carry with them a strong significance within our own hearts and lives for I am convinced that we have been given the command to strike the ground. Far too often and far too many times we strike the ground only three times when we should strike the ground five or six times. There are far too many times when we as the children of God must needs strike both the ground and even the enemy five or six times until we have utterly destroyed it. There are certain enemies and adversaries we face within our lives which must be struck more than once—perhaps even more than twice or even three times until they are utterly defeated. The question we must needs ask ourselves is whether or not we are willing to obey the command of the LORD and strike the ground until we are guaranteed and assured our enemy and/or enemies will be completely and utterly defeated before us. There are far too many of us as believers who stop striking the ground and therefore we stop striking the enemy. Oh beware when you stop striking the ground for when you stop striking the ground you will not only stop striking your enemy but your enemy cannot and will not be defeated. The word of the LORD to you and for you today is to continue striking the ground that you might continue to strike your enemy until they are utterly destroyed. Oh dear brother, know of a certain that the enemies in your life must be like the Egyptians who pursued the children of Israel in the wilderness of whom Moses declared that the Egyptians they saw today they would not see tomorrow.

 

            With all of this being said there is something we must needs recognize concerning spiritual warfare and that is that it cannot and will not require prayer and fasting alone. There are enemies and battles we are fighting that cannot be won by ourselves regardless of how much prayer and fasting we do. There are enemies and adversaries we face that cannot be defeated and overcome despite our best efforts in fasting and prayer within our lives. There are certain enemies and adversaries that will require another to come alongside us to help us to fight such enemies. There are certain battles we are facing which we were not intended on fighting alone in and of our own strength, ability, nor even through our own prayer and fasting. There are battles we are facing that can only be won when we stand side by side together with others as we go out to war against the enemy. Oh today it might be that I need you to help me face this enemy that is too great for me but tomorrow you might need me to face that enemy that is too great and too strong for you. This reality is evident in the opening chapter of the Old Testament book of Judges when Judah asked his brother for help. Consider the following words:

 

            “Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his land. So Judah said to Simeon his brother, Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory. And Simeon went with him. Then Judah went up, and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand, and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek” (Judges 1:1-4).

 

            Please pay attention to these words for within this passage we find Judah being promised and assured of victory in battle, however, the promise of victory alone wasn’t enough. Although Judah was promised and assured of victory they needed their brother to come alongside them and help them engage the enemy. Oh there is a great truth for us in this passage for while it is true that we have been promised and assured victory within our lives there are battles that cannot be won and enemies that cannot be conquered and defeated without our brother coming alongside us to help us fight in prayer, fight in worship, fight in intercession and fight on our knees. Oh how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, but how good and pleasant it is for brethren to fight together in unity. Judah needed Simeon to defeat the Canaanites and the Perizzites in the land and later on in this chapter Simeon would need Judah to help him fight and engage the enemies and adversaries which they would face. Lest you think this is an isolated incident in Scripture I would remind of the story of Joab and his brother when two enemies came against the kingdom of Israel during the reign of David king of Israel:

 

            “When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best, and put them in battle array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in battle array against the people of Ammon. Then he said, if the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight” (1 Chronicles 19:10-13).

 

           

IF THE SYRIANS ARE TOO STRONG FOR ME, THEN YOU SHALL HELP ME! IF THE PEOPLE OF AMMON ARE TOO STRONG FOR YOU, THEN I WILL HELP YOU! Mark those words and mark them well within your spirit for rest assured there will be times when the enemy you face can and will be too strong for you. There are and there will be times when the enemy I face can and will be too strong for me. If the enemy you are facing is too strong for you then I have a responsibility as your brother to come alongside you and help you fight it. If the enemy I am facing is too strong for me then you bear the same responsibility as my brother. We must needs recognize that there are certain enemies and adversaries we face within our lives that can and will be too strong for us and we will need the help of our brother and/or our sister. We dare not be so naïve to think that we can face every enemy alone through prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting can help us overcome certain enemies and adversaries, however, there are other times when we will need our brother and our sister to come alongside us to face our enemies as we both commit ourselves to prayer and fasting. There are and there will be times when you will need to pray and fast and I will need to pray and fast that we might fight alongside each other that we might defeat the enemy you’re facing and the enemy I’m facing. The question we must ask ourselves is whether or not we are willing to come to our brother’s side in the midst of the battle and/or come to our sister’s side in the midst of the battle she faces.

 

With all of this being said we must recognize that we have indeed been armed for war. We have been given armor for the battle and warfare. We have been given everything we need for every battle we face. We have been given everything we need for every enemy and adversary we face. We are not lacking in anything we need to engage the enemy and adversary within our lives. Despite the enemy and adversary we face we have been given everything we need to be strong and very courageous. I am compelled to leave you with the following promises in Scripture to help encourage you to stand and continue to stand until your enemy is utterly defeated and overcome within your life. I leave you with the following words and promises to help you stand your ground against whatever enemy and adversary you face within your life:

 

“For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can Ben d a bow of bronze” (Psalm 18:31-34).

 

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

 

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).