Good point Little Owen...So glad you had time to check in here.

I think God spells out His reasoning in...

Judges 3:1-4

1  Now these are the nations that the LORD left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan.

2  It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before.

3  These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath.

4  They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

Things may look really tough in life, and it might just be for our testing.

Will we learn and continue to be obedient?

Will we trust God?

Thank you

Thanks for the link

I thought I go these mixed up on the Devo and said I would post them here.

Looks Like I didn't mix them up but here are my basic notes from today's devo.

Philadelphia.   “Brotherly Love”

Rev 3:7-13

Church History

30 miles south East of Sardis

Name means Brotherly Love

Represents faithful Church of all Ages Founded AD 17

Newest of 7 cities/ almost destroyed by earthquakes in 17 AD.

Resisted Muslim take over

The Island of Christianity exists today as Turkish town of Alasehir Population 16,000

Contains ruins of many ancient Churches.

Written to and Who Speaks

To: Messenger (Pastor of the Church)

Speaker: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.He that openeth and No man shutteth and no man Openeth.

Isaiah 22:22 (They would recognize the OT verse)

Isa 22:22  And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

The would recognize the Messianic Authority

Commendation

I know your works

You have a little strength

I love you

Rebuke/ Warning

There are Satanists among you who say they are Jews but they LIE

You have kept My Word of Patience

I will keep thee from Tribulation

Dan 12:1  “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

To the Overcomer

I will make a pillar in the temple of my God

He shall go out no more. I will write upon Him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God which is the New Jerusalem, who comes down out of Heaven. My God and I will write upon him MY NEW NAME

The Church of Laodicea

Laodecian Church 3:14-22

Means “People Ruling”Represent unbelieving, materialistic church of all ages. Famous for wealth, it’s bankers

Also famous for A medical school—popular for eye salve and the textile industry.

To: The Messenger…The Pastor of the Church

Who speaks:The Amen Faithful and True Witness and the Originator of God’s Creation

Commendation

I know your works…they are neither hot or cold

Rebuke/Warning

Because you are Luke warm, I will SPEW you out of my mouth.

Don’t you know you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked?

Repent of lack of Genuine faith and lack of spiritual understanding.

To the overcomer

I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Rev 3:22  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”