…Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron…

Judges 4:3 ESV

We saw Israel letting chariots of iron stop them from driving out Cannanites from the land. It’s like saying the giants were too big for them to fight. It’s really only saying we are seeing our own strength and not God’s, and though we think we’re enough in some cases, this is too big for us. Instead of that truth bolstering them to rely on the Lord, they lie down in the fight and become oppressed.

The chariots weren’t the problem. It was their lack of faith leading to disobedience that caused the trouble. They were left with the consequences. Then it was just a matter of TIME.

They had to cry out, but they also had to wait on the Lord. They couldn’t act until it was time, until the day of the Lord’s vengeance had come, until the Lord gave the command that now was the time.

…“Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand….

Judges 4:14 ESV

The same is true of Israel’s enemies. They have to wait on God too. How many times did they want to kill Jesus, but they could do nothing because the hour had not come? God gets to say when.

….But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Luke 22:53 ESV