SOAP 03/27/2014 Judges 1:34

Today's reading: Judges 1, 2, 3; 1 Corinthians 12

S) "³⁴ Then the Amorites forced the sons of Dan into the hill country, for they did not allow them to come down to the valley;"

Judges 1:34  (NASB)

O) The last passage of this chapter (vv.27-36) describes the areas the Israelites failed to conquer. Ultimately, this is what caused the fall of Israel, as a nation, since it was idol-worship of the previous inhabitants which caused the Israelites to stray from the LORD. Of all the recounted failures, this one stood as the worst. Not only did Dan fail to drive out the Amorites, but the Amorites flat-out denied the Danites entrance down into the valley. The Danites completely failed to claim an entire portion of their inheritance.

A) Applying certain Old Testament scriptures can be hard. As mentioned previously, I am not in the military and I am not part of any holy conquest. God has not given me a literal land that I am to claim. However, God has marked out spiritual areas of my life, in which I should be walking freely, victoriously. This is especially true in areas of sin. God has given me, through Christ Jesus, every victory over every sin. So, my failure to walk in righteousness is actually a failure to claim the victory of a battle Jesus has already fought. Just like the Danites, I am not simply guilty of losing a fight - I'm guilty of not trusting God and allowing Him to fight for me. I am not submitted to the LORD, following Him to victory. In the fight, I am failing because I am giving up. The enemy isn't beating me, I'm beating myself.

P) Father, forgive my unbelief and increase my faith! Remind me that I already have victory, because Jesus conquered sin and death! Give me confidence and perseverance to fight for what has already been purchased through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ! I don't want to ever give up on the areas of freedom and liberty You have already made for me. Open my eyes to see it, LORD, the areas I am in danger of losing. Revive a fighter's spirit in me, to claim those lands. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.