The war within

The Israelites did not drive out all of the Canaanites. They subdued them, but they did not exterminate them (Judg 1:28). There was a point at which their disobedience cost them the divine assistance of God. He did not help them drive out the nations, but left them as “thorns in their sides” (Judg 2:3). In addition to the disciplinary reasons, He did this to test them (Judg 2:22) and to teach them warfare (Judg 3:2). This is a picture of our constant battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Our enemies have strongholds in our lives and we choose not to defeat them. These things hinder our relationship with the Lord and cause pain all of our lives. But God graciously uses these things to discipline, test and teach us to strive for holiness in Him. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2Co 12:9). “Therefore, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”(Heb 12:1).