by Jeffrey Bush
“I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: that through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.” — Judges 2:21-22
God had already provided Israel with the Promise Land, but He left enemies, according to this passage, “that through them I may prove Israel.” Would these obstacles stop Israel from walking with God, or would they cause Israel to cling to God? God could have easily kicked out, removed, and given an easier path for Israel, but He did not choose to do so. God left the enemies for the good of His people.
And in like manner, God is big enough and capable enough to remove the problems and obstacles in your life, whether financial strains, sicknesses, people problems, discouragement, stress, anxiety, or loneliness. It might just be that God doesn’t remove problems in your life to prove you. As when the Apostle Paul asked God to remove his hardships, God’s response was that His grace was sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Yes, there are times that disobedience brings hard times in life, but sometimes it is just life happening that brings on difficulties. However the problems and obstacles may come, decide you will not fight against the methods that God uses in your life. God may not remove difficulties in your life because He wants you to depend on Him and remember that you cannot do life without Him. Allow the obstacles in your life to cause you to cling to God.
