“The Lord gave them rest [from conflict] on every side, in accordance with everything that He had sworn to their fathers, and not one of all their enemies stood before them [in battle]; the Lord handed over all their enemies to them.”
Joshua 21:44 AMP
Conflict is defined as a fight or a battle, a failure in agreement or accord, and my favorite – “as a mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands.*”
As I was meditating on this verse, a thought struck me that it takes two sides to engage in war, and as a Believer, there is only one “side” – His side.
A marriage counselor once told us that we didn’t flight fair. He said we needed to shift our perspectives because now, as a married couple, it was us on the same side always. I didn’t understand it at the time though it stuck with me for many years. When I have “conflict” with Vance – or a mental struggle with opposing needs and wishes – the key to resolution is to stand together on G-d’s side. I wonder how much easier and faster we would resolve things if we just stopped to pray and invited G-d into the conflict from the beginning, seeking His “side” and not our own.
Conflict is unavoidable. But the real conflict is with darkness and evil – not with Vance or my children or anyone else who opposes me or the world around me. Satan, the enemy of my soul, is the real one stirring up conflict in and around me. He hates me and he hates my family.
The Hebrew word used in the passage above for “rest” is nûaḥ – and one of the definitions is “freedom from enemies”.
G-d gives me freedom from my enemy – Satan – because He already won the battle on my behalf. Sure, I’ll face conflict, but the key to victory is to remember who the real enemy is and to remember that He gives me freedom to walk in peace, free of conflict and free of offense.
He will return one day for an “unoffended bride for a Son who is worthy.” (Gary Weins). May He find me worthy and free of offense. May my heart and mind, my wishes and desires, my internal and external demands be aligned with G-d’s Word and His will. May I be found walking in obedience to Him alone. May my soul and my spirit be at peace in Him and at rest from my enemy.
Father – Thank You for Your Word and for Your truth. Thank you for how You teach and correct, and restore. Search my heart for any unrighteous ways. Convict my heart and make it known so I may find forgiveness and healing. Free me from conflict. Thank You for winning the battle and giving me rest from the enemy of my soul. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Joshua 19-21
*Merriam-Webster.com