[A Meditation on One Verse]

(Joshua 17:18) “The hill country shall be yours. Although it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.”

The descendants of Joseph complained that their land was too small, but when Joshua pointed to the hill country, they drew back in fear because of the ‘iron chariots.’ In the eyes of the world, their calculation was perfectly rational. However, Joshua’s proclamation transcends their calculation: “You are a great people and have great power… you shall drive them out.”

This is not encouragement that praises their potential. It is a declaration of faith, reminding them of who God had already made them to be and what power He had promised them. Their ‘great power’ was not self-made; it was the result of what God, who is faithful to His covenant, had poured into them. Therefore, the command to “clear it” is not a task to test their strength, but an invitation to step forward in trust of the God who placed them in a position of power.

We, too, complain and are afraid before the ‘iron chariots’ in front of us. But in our weakness, the Lord does not say, “You can do it,” but promises, “I will work through you.” Because God is the One who enables us to walk the path of faith, we can move beyond our place of fear and begin the pioneering work of obedience.

[Prayer]

“Lord, I confess that I cannot defeat the iron chariots before me in my own strength. Therefore, I hold not to the world’s encouragement that says, ‘You are strong,’ but to Your promise that says, ‘I am with you.’ Please help me to walk this ‘today,’ trusting that You will work through my weakness and let me finally see Your victory.”
_________________

(Daily Reading)

Joshua 17:1-18