PUTTIT Under

Put It Under

But Manasseh never managed to drive out Beth Shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddo with their territories. The Canaanites dug in their heels and wouldn't budge. When Israel became stronger they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they never got rid of them. (Judg. 1:27–28)

This passage reminds me of many things that we as Christians are supposed to enjoy in Christ but often do not take advantage of. There are many blessings that Christ has already provided for us in His redemptive plan—salvation, divine health, peace of mind, joy unspeakable, and even provision for our needs. Yet many believers live without fully enjoying what already belongs to them.

The Bible says the Canaanites dug in their heels and would not budge. In the same way, some problems in life seem to refuse to move—sickness may linger even though divine health is promised, lack may persist even though God has made provision, fear may remain even though peace is available. These things dig in their heels and refuse to leave.

But the next verse gives us a key: when Israel became stronger, they put the Canaanites to forced labor. The issue was not that the land was not given to them; the issue was that they needed strength to possess it. In the same way, many things God has given to us must be possessed through spiritual growth and maturity. It is not enough for something to be yours; you must grow strong enough to walk in it.

Many people do not even know what belongs to them in Christ. They do not know that peace is theirs, that joy is theirs, that victory is theirs. And if they do not know, they cannot enjoy it. Strength comes from disciplining the body, praying in the Spirit, and constantly feeding your spirit with the Word of God.

As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, he kept his body under and brought it into subjection so that he would not be disqualified. Spiritual strength does not come by accident; it comes by discipline, prayer, and the Word.

Reflection
Many of God’s promises are not absent from our lives because God did not give them, but because we have not grown strong enough to possess them. Growth in the Word, prayer, and discipline produces the strength needed to walk in what God has already provided. The stronger you become spiritually, the more you walk in what already belongs to you.

Prayer
Lord, help me to grow strong in spirit. Teach me to discipline my body, to pray more, and to feed on Your Word daily. Open my eyes to see all that You have provided for me in Christ, and give me the strength to walk in them. I refuse to live below what You have prepared for me. I receive strength, growth, and victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a fruitful day,
(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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