How can we trust God to "drive out the inhabitants" in our lives today? The Promise in Focus “Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.” (Exodus 34:11) Historical Snapshot • Israel stood on the verge of a hostile land. • Six entrenched nations dwarfed them militarily and culturally. • God did not tell Israel to negotiate; He promised personally to “drive out” every enemy. • This promise flowed from His covenant faithfulness established with Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21) and reaffirmed at Sinai. Mapping Old Testament Truth to Today The “inhabitants” we face are not literal Canaanites but: • Sin patterns that stubbornly occupy our hearts (Romans 6:12-14). • Lies and fears that set up strongholds in our minds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). • Idols—anything we prize above Christ (1 John 5:21). • Cultural pressures that tempt us to compromise (Romans 12:2). God’s promise to “drive out” still applies, because the same God acts with the same power and purpose. Why We Can Trust Him To Drive Them Out • His unchanging character—“I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6). • His absolute power—“Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). • His proven track record—He fulfilled this pledge in Joshua’s day (Joshua 21:43-45). • His New-Covenant guarantee—Christ’s cross disarmed every spiritual enemy (Colossians 2:13-15). • His indwelling presence—The Spirit supplies “divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). Our Part: Walking Out the Promise 1. Obey His voice today (Exodus 34:11). Partial obedience = partial victory. 2. Remove spiritual compromises—tear down modern “altars” (James 4:4-8). 3. Saturate the mind with Scripture; truth uproots lies (John 17:17). 4. Pray persistently; the battle is won in God’s presence (Ephesians 6:18). 5. Stay in community; Israel fought as a nation, not as isolated tribes (Hebrews 10:24-25). 6. Trust His timing; He sometimes clears enemies “little by little” to grow our faith (Exodus 23:29-30). Encouragement From Related Passages • Deuteronomy 7:17-24—God promises to “throw them into great confusion.” • Joshua 3:10—“You will know the living God is among you and that He will certainly drive out” every foe. • Psalm 44:2-3—It was not Israel’s sword but God’s right hand that secured the land. • Philippians 1:6—He finishes what He starts. • Romans 8:37—“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Living It Today • Identify one “inhabitant” God has spotlighted. • Declare His promise out loud; faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). • Take the next obedient step—confession, restitution, boundary, act of faith. • Expect God to act; watch for incremental victories that signal the larger eviction under way. • Keep rehearsing His victories; yesterday’s deliverance fuels tomorrow’s trust. The same Lord who literally expelled Canaan’s nations delights to clear every intruder blocking His purpose in us. Our role is simple: believe His promise, obey His word, and stand still long enough to watch Him drive them out. |
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