Problems of Evil and Struggle

I was just reading through the last few chapters of Joshua and began reading in Judges.  In Judges 3, it says the Lord left some enemies of Israel in the Promised Land even after Joshua had driven Israel's ememies and the original inhabitants out of the land.  It says, "They were left to test the Israelites t see wheter they would obey the Lord's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses." (Judges 3:4)  Earlier, in verse 1, it says he left them "to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan."

My first reaction to reading this passage was wondering whether it would have been better for all of these people to have been driven out of the land and the Lord to protect their borders.  Perhaps this would have led to better obedience from the people of Israel than leaving them to fight new wars.  Of course, by doing this I am putting myself in the place of God, which is not a good practice.  But, it was my first reaction nonetheless.  This is also a question which has been asked for all time, which is "If there is a God who loves us, why is there evil or temptation in our lives?"

I am not going to attempt to provide a definitive answer to that question.  The reason I write is less to find an answer than to acknowlege that I am still asking the question.  I have gone to school for a long time studying subjects which should help answer this question, and this experience has given me a pretty good intellectual response to the question.  Yet, my first reaction is still a longing that it wouldn't be there.  It's more than a longing, though.  I am upset that it is there, because I think it would be better without it.  Of course, I don't know if the people of Israel would have been any more faithful if the Lord hadn't left these people in their land.  I also don't know if I would be any more faithful if I didn't face any evil, struggle, or temptation in my life.  I like to think I would be, but, of course, I like to think a lot of things better in myself than they actually are.  Perhaps with no evil, struggle, or temptation apparent in my life I would feel less of a need for God.  Through all of this, it becomes apparent I have a need for more faith.  So I can only pray the prayer of the woman in the New Testament who said, "I believe. Help my unbelief."

Judas' Kiss

Yesterday morning in service Pastor Dan looked at kissing throughout Scripture after pondering on the New Year's Kiss.  He looked at many examples of kissing in Scripture, but I was intrigued by his description of Judas' kiss.  He explained that in the original language the kiss which Judas gave in betrayel in the Garden of Gethsemane was more emphatic than any other kiss of greeting would be in that culture.  He was also explaining how Judas seemed to turn against Christ the moment he realized he could not get what he wanted or expected from Jesus.  It caused me to think: this seems pretty similar to the way people react to Christ when their expectations are broken.  How many people who have kept Jesus at arms' distance in relationship with him are extremely passionate in their disdain for him once they realize they will not get what they originally wanted, no matter what that want may be (physical, emotional, material, etc.).  How many times have I passionately reacted against Christ when my hopes are dashed in the midst of keeping him at arms' length?  Perhaps we are meant to struggle with Jesus more like Peter, in order to grow in relationship with him, rather than cooly support him while keeping an eye out for something which will treat us better.