Judges 6:6. “And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord.”
STRIFE. It came from not too far away, and from those of ancient kin, In just a short time it worked its way creating fear in men. Strife has a terrible effect on those who try acting on their own – It has the potential to divide God’s people from leaders to those at home.
Strife doesn’t abide alone – it brings a multitude of other sins That come along with it to destroy a work God Himself begins. With strife come doubts and fears to attack and try to defeat God’s people and a work of God before it can be complete.
Defeat of strife will happen when God’s people stand together – We will have to face the problem; not ignore it when we gather, But deal with the cause that made it come, see what we did that’s wrong, Then endeavor to shut strife out, pick ourselves up and move along.
Israel thought the cause was Midian, they didn’t face their own and evil choice, So, God sent strife along to make them stop and listen to His voice. Far too often we look at others and place on them the blame, Ignoring our responsibility for it and complaining to our shame.
When each of us is willing to admit, I am part of the cause of strife, And determines before God, I will not go on until I make this right; Then God steps in to bring an end to the division and the pain, Giving us insight and teaching us lessons so it won’t happen again.
How sad it is when we have to learn the same lesson over and over. It is a result of pride and self-interest or sin we try to cover. But maybe we can learn if we will take heed to the damage that is done – And deal with issues when they are small, well before they get full-blown.
“O God, my Father: I want to be a peaceful man who does not initiate strife. There will probably be times when I will still have to stand up against what I know is wrong, but I am asking for help to do this in the spirit of grace that any divisiveness will be avoided by a self-defined line in the sand. May I always be cognizant of Thy word and how any potential problem can be scripturally dealt with before it causes strife. I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.” It has happened again, O why didn't I act wisely at the first! Tension and strife have come, and the fellowship we had like a balloon has burst To meet face to face and discuss the issue is now something we avoid Just to come across each other even at a distance; each is privately annoyed Strife has its way of overcoming all the good that we used to see in each other And its ultimate intention is to impoverish and separate brothers It is a tool of the powers of darkness to use suspicion and strife To hinder and even stop the impact of a well-lived joyful Christian life.
What do we need, where can we turn, how can an end be brought to this nonsense? Why doesn't someone come and preach and pass on that brother his sentence? Surely it is easy to see the reason for the problem is that other man's attitude For all that I have done, he and his crowd don't show the least gratitude We need a deliverer, some one to come and from this strife set us free Then we can get back to being the kind of people we are intended to be What do you mean, the problem may be with me? I'm not the guilty one! He needs to be taken to task for not appreciating all the good I've done!
Then comes the prophet - the man who speaks for God sees beyond words to the obvious He points out my faults and failures, the self-centeredness to which I've been oblivious Then in words that convict my conscience - and following, speaks plainly to me It hits me like a hammer blow, the problem is one I chose not to see I am the one who needs to confess to my brother and make amends I am the one on whom the restoration to warm fellowship again, depends The voice of God to my seared conscience I previously have ignored But now to end this strife and division, to God Himself for mercy I implore.
"Father, may any strife or divisive spirit that hinders Thy word be dealt with quickly in a scriptural way. May barriers caused by differences of opinion be removed by my humble repentance and forsaking of self-will. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."