You Are Strong Enough to Drive Out the Enemy
The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the LORD had blessed us abundantly."
"If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites." The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron . . .
But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph . . . "You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out." Joshua 17:14-18
"If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites." The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron . . .
But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph . . . "You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out." Joshua 17:14-18
It is one thing to desire possession of our Promised Land, but it is a totally different thing to step out and take practical steps to possess it. Sometimes, we simply need to be jolted into action, not pampered, to keep dreaming endlessly. That is what Joshua did with the tribe of Joseph.
Joshua was in the process of allotting the Promised Land to the various tribes of Israel. The tribe of Joseph complained that the portion given to them was not enough since they were such a numerous people. They wanted more land but they were unwilling to take on the Canaanite inhabitants because they had chariots fitted with iron!
Joshua did not mince words with the tribe of Joseph. He was direct in his response: "You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well . . . though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out."
Many times, we tend to shrink back because of the enormity of what we face. On the brink of receiving major breakthroughs in our lives, we give up because we feel inadequate and overwhelmed by the strength of the Enemy. The words of Joshua are very applicable in those situations: "Though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out." God will always empower us to drive out the Enemy, iron chariots notwithstanding! Don't just extol how numerous you are; do something with that number!
You are strong enough to drive out the Enemy. Don't shrink back because of their iron chariots. Don't be intimidated by them. The God you serve has stronger chariots that can be deployed on your behalf. You are strong enough to drive out the Enemy from your Promised Land! Get going!
Joshua was in the process of allotting the Promised Land to the various tribes of Israel. The tribe of Joseph complained that the portion given to them was not enough since they were such a numerous people. They wanted more land but they were unwilling to take on the Canaanite inhabitants because they had chariots fitted with iron!
Joshua did not mince words with the tribe of Joseph. He was direct in his response: "You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well . . . though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out."
Many times, we tend to shrink back because of the enormity of what we face. On the brink of receiving major breakthroughs in our lives, we give up because we feel inadequate and overwhelmed by the strength of the Enemy. The words of Joshua are very applicable in those situations: "Though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out." God will always empower us to drive out the Enemy, iron chariots notwithstanding! Don't just extol how numerous you are; do something with that number!
You are strong enough to drive out the Enemy. Don't shrink back because of their iron chariots. Don't be intimidated by them. The God you serve has stronger chariots that can be deployed on your behalf. You are strong enough to drive out the Enemy from your Promised Land! Get going!
Prayer: Father, I thank you that you have given me enough strength to overcome the iron chariots of the Enemy. By your grace, I will not be intimidated. I am strong enough to overcome him. I will arise and drive him out. Amen.