Unbelief

Jdg 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. 28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. 29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. 30 Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. 31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: 32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out. 33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. 34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: 35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries

A new normal way gradually evolves. Laziness and cowardice gives birth to compromise. Covetousness and greed help the new culture of disobedience. Nothing is new. The enemy of our soul uses the same tactics. The Canaanites have chariots of iron and are difficult to drive out. The land is a good land, rich, fertile and flowing with milk and honey and idolatry – but the Canaanites are not easy to drive out. So what do the children of Israel do?

Many believers start well, with a lot of promise and zeal, but are soon hindered as Satan floods them with temptations, lusts, brings guilt and anguish to pollute their consciences until they give up to some sort of accommodation of Satan. God does not want us to have any accommodation with the enemy in any form, therefore we are wise to keep fighting until as promised every failure is brought under our feet. Saul fell because of this weakness of accommodation of that which God instructed to be destroyed and this ruined him ultimately.

Hold on to the promises of God and keep fighting evil – internally, externally …in your home, nation, church …everywhere it shows up…do not permit evil to serve you …making evil your tributaries is a dangerous strategy. The house of Joseph applied this strategy of using the Canaanites as servants when they prevailed upon the Amorites, but this was not the instruction of God. It is unbelief that disallowed the children of Israel from entering the promised land …it is unbelief that stops them from conquering the Canaanites. They have forgotten that they entered the promised land not because they were strong but because God fought for them….the walls of Jericho did not fall because the children of Israel were strong but because their God was. Unbelief is the chief of failings and the arrows of doubt are Satan’s chief weapons.

Song.

Have faith in God

Have faith in God

Have faith in God

For deliverance have faith in God.

Prayer : Father, Help my unbelief. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa