God Forbid We Be His Reluctant Warriors

You know what baffles me? That God invites humans to participate with Him in building His kingdom. Does He really need our help? I doubt it – He can do anything He chooses whenever He chooses in whatever manner He chooses. Why He entrusts us with such a responsibility and allows us the privilege to partner with Him is beyond me, but clearly He wants us to be actively involved in some way.

Reluctant warriors

This morning I read about the battle involving Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army. Judges 5:13-15 speaks of various tribes of people marching down against the mighty warriors. But then the tone changes.

Judges 5:15b-17 say,

“But in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds – to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? In the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Gilead remained east of the Jordan. And Dan, why did he stay home? Asher sat unmoved at the seashore, remaining in his harbors. But Zebulun risked his life, as did Naphtali, on the battlefield.”

It’s clear that God wanted the people’s involvement in fighting this battle. Some, like the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, chose to go; others chose to stay. What kept the latter from participating?

What did God want from these people?

Judges 5:23 really grabs me:

“‘Let the people of Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the Lord. ‘Let them be utterly cursed because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty warriors.'”

Again – did God really need the people’s help in fighting this battle? I don’t think so. But He wanted their participation. He wanted them to get involved.

What stops us from jumping into battle?

There’s a spiritual battle going on in the world today. Satan is striving to steal and destroy  every man, woman, and child. God could wipe him out in a heartbeat. That time will come, but until then, we’re to go to battle. What’s stopping us? Indecision? Complacency? Fear? Maybe even laziness? I pray not!