Main Verse: Judges 2:1-5

Good morning!

            The Lord tasked General Joshua to conquer Canaan and divide the land into the tribal inheritance (Joshua 1:1-9). For about three to five years the Israelites worked together to fight for control of Canaan; The kingdoms who refused to leave Canaan became Israel’s slaves. After the Israelites conquered Canaan and the land was peaceful, the nation dealt with a spiritual battle called, “Complacency” (Deuteronomy 31:19-22). The Lord’s intention for the remaining Canaanite kingdoms was to keep the Israelites on their toes regarding unrighteous behavior and to prepare the youth for war; instead, the nations that remained in Canaan introduced the Israelites to the practices and beliefs as a friend to a friend much like the construction of the Tower of Bable (Genesis 11:1-9).

            Because the enemy of our soul knows any stark or drastic change would arouse our suspicions, things like “Complacency” are introduced slowly like heating up a fishbowl water 1 degree at a time until the inhabitants are killed (Unknown). When churches become complacent, convicting messages are like bright lights in a dark place and can lead to drastic situations such as Stephen being murdered (Acts 7). Because “Blessing” and “Obedience” go together and God’s commands are not a smorgasbord, we must recommit our lives daily to sanctification and the covenant with our Lord to fight against complacency (James 1:12-18). Therefore, I admonish and encourage you today to look at your life and ministry in the light of scripture to see where you are compared to the Lord’s desire for you. Remember this, sin never operates in a bubble, it always affects the people around us sort of like Hezekiah to his son Manasseh (2 Kings 20:12 – 2 Kings 21:9). Changing courses is not easy and it takes time but the results are worth it.

I.H.S.

MK