As the nation of Israel was about to conquer the promised land, God gave them this promise, “For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV). When the Israelites embraced this promise and turned to God for direction and help, God gave them the victory.
But this promise was not given to true Christians. In fact, the Apostle Peter wrote, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV)
Jesus told his followers that they would be blessed when they suffered for righteousness sake. He did not tell them God would fight for them. Yet Jesus did comfort them saying God would reward them in the resurrection. Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV), “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
It is important to apply a Bible promise to the correct people for the correct time period. Many readers of the Bible confuse God’s promises to the natural man with His promises to spiritual Christians. For example: faithful Christians are promised a resurrection in heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:49 (DBY), “And as we have borne the image of the one (Adam) made of dust, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly one (the resurrected Jesus).” 2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV), “… you may be partakers of the divine nature…” The divine nature is God’s spiritual, immortal nature.
The natural world of mankind is promised a restoration of their earthly bodies and minds back to the perfection Adam had when he was created. In their resurrection, “the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf be unstopped; then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: … they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:5-6, 10 (DBY)
God, our Father, will always help us. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5. But God may use a trial to develop our characters to be more Christlike. He may not necessarily help us by fighting against our enemies. Psalm 37:39-40 (KJV), “…(God) is their (our) strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked (whether now or in Christ’s kingdom), and save them, because they trust in him.”
