- Judges 1 Daily DEVO Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages, for the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. Judges1:27 – First off, don’t get lost with all the weird names of people and places in this chapter. The message behind it all was the people of Israel we’re going into the promised land to do what God was leading them to do which was to drive out the people living there. What I want you see see in this passage is how at the end of it is said, “the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.” That their mission was met with opposition and so will your’s as you continue to follow God with your life. So as you are following Him and come across pushback, don’t be surprised. Know this is a part or the process and God has helped His people through this type of pushback for many years and He will help you with what you are experiencing too. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 581
- After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” The Lord said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.” Judges 1:1-2 – You don’t have to have a title to be heard by God. It’s tempting to believe that God only listens and speaks to the leaders of the church. That if someone who wasn’t a pastor or teacher were to reach out it wouldn’t have as much impact and God wouldn’t respond the same. Yet look here at our passage. Joshua, their leader, is dead. So the people reached out to God and God spoke to His people! What does that mean for you? It means whoever can reach out to God and God hears them! When His followers reach out to Him, regardless of their title or position, He hears and He moves. Know you have the ear of God. He is listening to you. He cares about what you have to say. The question then to be asked of you is with God leaning in willing to listen to all you have to say, are you saying anything to Him? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1784
- And the Lord was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron. Judges 1:19 – The tribes of Israel were continuing their conquest of the land of Canaan, the land God promised them. As we read through the chapter though, we begin to see a theme arise. The theme of “not driving out the inhabitants completely.” God commanded them to drive out the inhabitants completely, but over and over, for one reason or the next, the tribes left some of the inhabitants remaining. Like here with Judah, they didn’t drive them out because the enemy had chariots of iron. While a reasonable excuse, is God stopped because of chariots of iron? We see in Exodus 14 and Joshua 11 that even enemies with chariots didn’t stop God. We see even in in the battle in Judges 4 the enemy had 900 chariots of iron, but God was able to defeat them all. Maybe then this isn’t a story about God’s lack of power but our lack of faith. Know if God has called you to something, you can walk in confidence knowing that He will provide and He will be able to conquer any opposition that arises. Even if the enemy has chariots of iron, God can win. Even if all you have is a slingshot against a giant, God can win. Even if the enemy is death and Hell, our God is able to defeat that enemy. Walk then in faith today knowing the God over angel armies is with you and no enemy will be able to defeat the power of our God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2857
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