22 ‘You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon[a] king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. 23 You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess. 24 Their children went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you gave the Canaanites into their hands, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. 25 They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they revelled in your great goodness.“NIV

‘’Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power’’ (Ephesians 6:10).

In addition to further displaying God’s abundant provision to His people, this section highlights what has been called ‘the 100% principle’. The idea is that in order to live the Christian life it will take 100% of God’s effort and 100% of ours. Possibly the classic expression of it is found here in the words: ‘’You subdued before them…’’ (24). The children of Israel did it, but really it was God doing it. But they had their part to play. They had to do what they did for God to do what He did.

Someone said, ‘Without Him we cannot; without us He will not.’ That may not always be so, but it generally true. Sometimes God may choose to work without us, but we can never operate without Him.

In this spiritual battle we are so aware of, the key to victory is to fight in God’s strength.

Prayer: Lord, I sometimes feel so discouraged. I keep doing what I shouldn’t do and don’t want to do. But I thank you that not only is there forgiveness with you; there is also power to fight and overcome. All that I need is in you Lord, and I am in you. Thank you.