Iron Chariots?

Enemies with iron chariots...got some? I'm talking about those overwhelming, "keep-coming-at-'ya" kinds of everyday trials that beat you down no matter how hard you pray, or how many times you try to stand against them! But if you've got 'em, don't despair, you're not alone! We all do. Even the Israelites faced them in the Promised Land. I read in Judges 1 today that they just "could not drive out those inhabiting the [difficult] valley basin because they had chariots of iron." Now, the Israelites were not just "any old folks," they were the chosen of the Lord. We read in the Bible again and again that "the Lord was with them" and man-oh-man when the Lord was with someone, there was NO ENEMY who could withstand them!! What was SO GREAT about this particular enemy that they could not drive them out? Maybe with their strong iron chariots they simply looked tougher than the rest.

Long before the Israelites ever faced this challenge, just before his death, the leader of God's chosen people, Joshua, had a vision. Immediately after that vision, he told his people to take heart, the "country shall be yours, you shall clear and possess it to its farthest borders; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and are strong." (Joshua 17:18) I guess when the time finally came for them to go into that battle and they stood face to face with the enemy and those huge, fortified chariots, Joshua's words must have drained from their hearts and memories about as quickly as the blood drained from their faces!

Long before we ever faced even our first "iron chariot" enemy, God had a vision of US--His chosen ones! It was of us being more than conquerors, not victims. He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross to ensure victory for us all! And He sent His Word, packed with promise after promise to guide us successfully through every battle and situation we will ever face. It's all there in black and white...

So, what iron chariots were waiting when you opened your door this morning? Honestly, some of us had to look no further than the end of our beds for our first iron chariot today! No matter the enemy, though, don't forget the Word of the Lord when you actually stare it down. It's then, when we are about to begin battle with what appears to be our biggest, fiercest enemies, that we need to hold tight to God's Word, claim His promises for our lives, and then step out in faith! Iron chariots or not, the armor of God we wear is STRONGER!