What's Fair Is Whose God Wins

You keep whatever your god Chemosh gives you, and we will keep whatever the LORD our God gives us. [Judges 11.24]

I cannot help but think of more contemporary land conquests when I read this ancient account of the same. In particular, I think of the USA.

This is relevant because today so much is said about wrongs done early on in the history of a young United States toward the current inhabitants of the land. But are not wars and conquests just that? Aren't wars and conquests the deciding factors in who owns the land? Has it not been that way since the beginning of time?

At the end of the day, it is indeed God Who decides who is victorious and who is not. It is God Who decides who will inherit the land and who will be deposed.

In the Bible, much of what godless people understood about the God of Israel had to do with the conquest of lands. Take the people of Jericho for example - they were paralyzed with fear because of the testimony of Israel - that their God fought their battles for them! Consequently, Jericho was defeated by Israel. Was that fair?

It all comes down to the acknowledgement of God and whether or not He is fighting with or against any group of people or nation.

The God of Israel rejects pride. The God of Israel rejects the notion that man can be good in and of himself.

Within a God-less society, mankind can only resort to its own sense of justice as best it is understood. It is a noble effort I suppose, but at any time that effort truly encounters the God of Israel, there will be conflict because the God of Israel accepts nothing less than 100% devotion to Him and His ways. 

As God-less as Hollywood portrays early American settlers, it must be remembered that in most communities, one of, if not, the first structure in place was a church. It was the place that the Bible was revered and the God of Israel was worshiped. No, the people were not perfect, but as a society, their churches remained a focal point of every community (not unlike early Israel). The presence of these communities and their central church, with its steeple/bell tower and cross, signified God's blessing on their occupation of any given territory or land. The fact that they were there was proof-positive of God's enabling hand. 

Things would not be the same going forward.

The thing is, when God and His favor are taken out of the picture, then, it is left up to man to concoct some system of justice based on... What?

As with the lands conquered by Israel, God's justice was at play as well as His favor. God was clear on more than one occasion that He was punishing the Canaanites for their godlessness. It just so happened that His punishment on one group was His favor fulfilling a promise to another.

I very much see this in play once again in the USA. As did Israel, the USA is slowly removing God from daily life. And, even though we have documented history of the consequences of so doing, the USA continues to run wildly away from God. 

Whose god will prevail?

Father, I see here today the need to repent... for myself and for my nation. Let my life be found declaring Your goodness and Your justice. God, save the USA.