In the journey of faith, God stands as the ultimate ally in the battles we face. He promised Israel that He would go before them, driving out the inhabitants of the Promised Land, yet He made it clear that their role in the confrontation was essential. As seen in Exodus 23, He assured them of His presence and guidance, but also commanded them to drive out the enemy themselves, indicating a cooperative effort. His promises were conditional upon their obedience, showing that He does not bless rebellion but expects reciprocity in their relationship with Him. Similarly, in the spiritual warfare of a Christian, He is with us as we battle against our own human nature, which constantly rises to hinder our progress. Just as He tested Israel in the wilderness to reveal their hearts and to humble them, He monitors our tests, ensuring they are not beyond our capacity to endure. His commitment is unwavering, as He pledges never to leave nor forsake us, reinforcing His presence with us in every struggle. The examples of Israel reveal that warfare, whether physical or spiritual, was always intended to be a joint endeavor with Him. Their failure to trust Him led to dire consequences, as they drew back in fear and rebellion, missing the Promised Land. For us, the lesson is to trust that He will back His promises, supporting us as we face the sacrifices and discomforts obedience demands. His patience and mercy endure, allowing us to confront our challenges repeatedly until we overcome, knowing He fights alongside us to conform us to the image of Christ.

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts how the Israelites, despite witnessing daily miracles, hesitated to possess the land of Canaan as God had commanded. God had set the land before them at Kadesh Barnea, promising to go before them and fight their battles. Moses encouraged them, saying, "Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you." He reminded them of how the LORD had carried them through difficulties, as a father carries his son, throughout their journey. Yet, despite these assurances, the Israelites rebelled and refused to believe that He would overcome the obstacles ahead, just as He had done in the past. As a result, God condemned them to wander in the wilderness for another 38 years until that generation had passed.

God intended for the Israelites to rely on Him to fight their battles, demonstrating His power and faithfulness through miraculous interventions, such as at the Red Sea where He fought for them without their need to engage in combat. He desired to protect them from war, leading them on a roundabout path to the Promised Land to avoid conflict and discouragement. However, due to their lack of faith and disobedience, the Israelites chose to become a warring nation, rejecting His full protection and taking up arms like the surrounding nations. Even so, God used them as His instrument to fulfill His purpose of driving out the Gentile nations from the Promised Land, though this did not make war right in His eyes. He allowed them to make their own decisions, and when they sinned by choosing warfare, they faced the consequences of their actions, as He compelled humans to exercise free moral agency. God alone has the right to take human life, as He is the Creator and giver of life. When Israel refused to trust Him to fight for them, He permitted them to engage in battle, using them to accomplish His divine purpose, such as settling the descendants of Abraham in the promised land. Yet, He made it clear that it would have been better for the Israelites to obey and believe in Him to handle all their conflicts. His promise to fight for them was conditional on their obedience and faith, as seen in His interventions even when they took up arms, confirming that it was ultimately He who thrust out foreign nations. For members of His church today, God expects a higher standard of purity, far above the warring attitudes of the world. He renders war and killing unnecessary for any people or nation under His government, promising to supernaturally protect those who obey and trust in Him against any enemy. As the Almighty, He is not impractical and does not leave the faithful helpless. His way of life is founded on love, making military service, bearing arms, and war contrary to the principles of true Christians. Obedience to Him must take precedence over human government, and He calls His church to maintain peace, trusting that He will do whatever fighting might be necessary.