December 16

Divine Expulsion

because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out. — Josh 17:18 BSB

It is a great encouragement to bravery when we know victory is certain, for then we face the battle with confidence and go where we might have otherwise been afraid. Our battle is with the evil within us and around us, and we should be fully convinced that we are able to overcome it and that we will, in the name of the Lord Jesus. We’re not setting ourselves up for failure—we are destined to win, and win we shall. God’s omnipotent grace is working to overthrow all evil, no matter the form it takes, and that guarantees our triumph.

Some sins in our lives seem as strong as iron chariots, deeply rooted in our habits, our surroundings, or even in our personalities. But we must conquer them. Even though these sins are strong and we may feel weak against them, we must, in the name of God, take them down—and we will. If any sin still has control over us, we are not truly free in Christ. Even if one chain holds us, we are still prisoners. We cannot enter heaven while one sin rules us, for it is said of the saints, "Sin shall not have dominion over you." So, rise up, and destroy every sin. Break every chain. The Lord of hosts is with us—nothing can resist His sin-destroying power.