-- Wednesday, 6/30/10 -- ON MY OWN -- Judges 1:1

[J.R. & Bonnie Ricks]

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ON MY OWN -- Judges 1:1 NIV

 

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, "Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?"

 

At the death of Moses, Joshua had been the logical choice to lead Israel.  Throughout Joshua's lifetime, Israel had enjoyed his strong leadership.  He had led them through the conquest of the Promised Land, and now most of it was subdued.  There would still be battles to fight, but the people of Israel had basically taken over the land God had promised them.  And Joshua had left them well prepared.  They had enjoyed Joshua's strong military and political leadership for a very long time.  But a great problem was about to arise... there was no logical successor for Joshua.  Israel was without a central leader.

 

Joshua had taught them well.  They had learned winning military strategy from this brilliant commander.  Their political prowess was not to be surpassed.  But they had not learned everything Joshua had tried to teach them… they had not learned Joshua's lessons about God.  What Israel did not realize was that the spiritual enemies they would face were much more formidable than the military might of the inhabitants of Canaan.  The armies of Canaan would not bring Israel down… the evil influence of the land would.

 

In our own lives, we generally do exactly the same thing.  We see only the surface problems - the economy, drugs, abortion, bad relationships, co-dependency, unemployment, crime, gang violence, divorce, death of loved ones - a list of things so long it would be impossible to complete it.  What we fail to see is the underlying truth... the truth that we cannot meet the problems of our lives with human power alone.  The only way we can successfully defeat our enemies and keep them defeated is through the power of God.

 

Our human efforts alone are like straw in the wind against the problems we face in this world.  We will succumb to the pressures and temptations of life over and over and over again.  When we rely on ourselves alone, we fall.  But when we rely on God, He gives us victory.

 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”  Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

 

 

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