Choosing Your Battles

Read Joshua 13:1–19:51

1. When Joshua was an old man, the Lord said to him, “You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered. . . .
2. All the regions of the Philistines and the Geshurites,
3. and the larger territory of the Canaanites, . . . northward to the boundary of Ekron. It includes the territory of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. . . .
4. In the north, the following area has not yet been conquered: all the land of the Canaanites, . . . stretching northward to Aphek on the border of the Amorites;
5. the land of the Gebalites and all of the Lebanon mountain area to the east, . . .
6. and all the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, . . . I myself will drive these people out of the land ahead of the Israelites. So be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you.” Joshua 13:1-6

If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change? Don’t worry about how it would happen, whether it’s realistic, or whether anyone would ever go for it—just dream. Imagine that it could happen. What would you change?

This period of time in Israel’s history is their opportunity to change their world. Much of what God wants done is theirs to do, and their list of tasks lies before them like an agenda for change. But it means setting priorities.

In this passage, also look for the lessons about the rewards of faith in God, when to break with tradition, and hazards along the path of least resistance.

Much of the Promised Land was unconquered at this point, but God’s plan was to go ahead and include it in the divisions among the tribes (Joshua 13:7). God’s desire was that it would eventually be conquered by the Israelites.

God knows the future, and as he leads us, he already knows about the victories that lie ahead. Just as the Israelites still had to go to battle and fight, so we must still face the trials and fight the battles of our unconquered land.

What are our unconquered lands? They may be overseas missionary territories, new languages in which to translate the Bible, new missionary areas in our neighborhoods, interest groups or institutions that need to change, unchallenged public problems or ethical issues, unconfessed sin in our lives, or underdeveloped talents and resources.

What territory has God given you to conquer? This territory is your promised land. Trust God and take the land. Your inheritance will be a new heaven and a new earth (see Revelation 21:1).