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Finish the Job

Rex Stump

Ready:

“The tribe of Benjamin, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem.” Judges 1:21a

Set:

How many times have we watched athletic teams NOT finish the job? How many times have we seen an athlete quit before the end of the season? How many times have we watched a team lose its drive in the final minutes of a game? 

In Judges 1:21, we read that tribe after tribe failed to drive the Canaanites and other groups from their land. God wanted these people gone, so that His people would remain holy. To allow these people to live in the same territory, to tolerate their ungodly and evil lifestyle would eventually corrupt God’s people. God’s command to Joshua and the twelve tribes was crystal clear; but Joshua had died and it seems the command of God died with him. 

The Israelites knew what they were supposed to do, but maybe they lacked the energy and discipline to do it. Fear or spiritual decay was already affecting their spirituality. Regardless, they failed to finish the job and the result was defeat.

The same excuses can keep our teams from finishing the job—lack of energy, fear, and spiritual decay. These same excuses keep our families, relationships, and churches from flourishing as well. As a Christian, we need to drive the sin out of our lives and not tolerate it! If you are tired, lacking discipline, or fearful, it's time to rise! Ask God for strength to finish the job, living in a way that is Holy and acceptable. 

Go:

1. What sins have I allowed to stick around?

2. What excuses have I used?

3. What does “living victoriously” look like to you?

Overtime:

Heavenly Father, I need Your strength to finish the job. I’ve been allowing sin to hang around in my life. As your adopted child, I want to live victoriously! Give me the strength to stop dancing with sin, and start living from within!