God sent his people into the land with the message: “I have given the land into your hands” (1:2). They could have conquered the Canaanites because God had made it possible. They could have, but . . . they didn’t. Note how verse 19 contrasts with God’s message in verse 2: “The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had iron chariots.” The issue of the iron chariots was, of course, their excuse. This was not the real obstacle to them winning this battle. Their greatest obstacle was that they doubted God and therefore they retreated when they could have won the battle. God said that he had given the Canaanites into their hands. The Israelites could have defeated them. But they didn’t. It is a sad epitaph over the life of any person that says: ‘He could have . . . but he didn’t’; ‘She could have . . . but she didn’t.’ You can become the person that God is calling you to be. You can see the amazing works of God in and through your life. You can . . . but will you? Will you be determined enough to realise what God has made possible for you? Will you take that step of faith that will enable you to overcome the obstacles? Will you receive what God has given you? What will be the verdict of heaven over your life? May your epitaph say: ‘He/she was enabled, and he/she did.’
What decision do you need to make to move forward? What is God calling you to do now?
Read Judges 1:1-21
