When Israel was strong

28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites under tribute, but did not completely drive them out.

Judges 1:28 (NKJV)

Even though God had given the people of Israel the Promised Land, it did not mean that every nation and people there were just going to disappear. Whatever is given has to be collected. God has given, but the Israelites must collect it. This is the same we have trusted God for so many things, and when they finally arrive, we end up relenting. But the reality is that “answered prayers” usually means “more responsibilities”. For to whom much is given, much is expected. We are not supposed to go back to sleep after we have received the things we strived so hard for. It is like a man who worked so hard to impress everyone in his office that he is deserving a promotion. When the promotion is finally given, the next step is not to relax, it is actually an introduction to “more work”. This is exactly the same thing with answered prayers, because when we receive that which we are asking for, we have become stewards of more than what we used to have, so it implies more responsibility.

Have you ever wondered that many times, the things we prayed for and trusted God for, end up becoming our excuses to why our relationship with God is declining. Think about it; when you prayed to God for a job and you got it, did your walk with God improve or decline after you got the job. Was the job not an excuse as to why you no longer have the time you used to have. Think about the many things we asked for; marriage, children, money, etc. Later on, we use them as excuses for being able to grow in our relationship with God.

Now that the Israelites have received the Promised Land, one would expect that they should be more fervent with God. But the reverse was the case, they found ways to live together with nations they were meant to destroy. I guess they also had many excuses like, they were tired of the few battles, they had to settle down and support their families, they had to provide for them, they had to do so many things that became possible because they received the promise. So, even though they were strong and had the ability to live as they ought to, they had excuses as to why they couldn’t. Think about yourself today, “What is your excuse?”

PRAYER

Father, I thank you for the many answered prayers. Have mercy on me for all the excuses I have given when you expected a growth in my Spiritual Life. I acknowledge that things are getting busier and tougher, but I choose to prioritize you in my life. You are the reason I live and the reason I have all that I have. Help me not to disappoint you with my life