In Dt 6:10,11 Moses promised the Israelites that in Canaan they would inherit large towns, with good buildings that they
didn’t build, and houses full of good things that they didn’t put there. Wells
that they didn’t have to dig, and vineyards and olive orchards that they didn’t
have to plant.
The template for taking over the land of Canaan
was straightforward:
> Go into the area of land allotted to you
> Kill whatever giant you find in that area
> Take over the giant’s property – that is
now your inheritance
(see Jos 10:36-37; 11:21-22; Jdg 1:10; 20).
But here’s a little practical problem: not all
the giants would be hanging around their homes. Imagine with me a brave,
ambitious Israelite who, with Joshua’s permission, eyes some choice property in
an area. But on his way there he stumbles upon a fierce ‘goliath’ of a guy who
was on the way to the forest. The battle is bloody and exhausting; but because
he has the covenant backing from the LORD, the Israelite defeats the giant. But
by now he’s weary, exhausted and spent; and he hasn’t confronted his own giant yet!
The giant he just defeated most likely has a
nice house, too; along with a big garden and a superabundant storehouse. But
giants don’t move around with dog tags around their necks, and there was no way
to the location of this fallen giant’s property. 6 hours of exhausting warfare
gone, no house to show for it.
This is unfortunately where we find ourselves
sometimes: fighting battles that have no attendant spoils, involved in fights
with no prizes at the end, and expending energies with no connected reward:
Houseless Giants.
What are ‘Houseless Giants’? They are those
conflicts that add nothing to either your pay check or your prayer life. They
are troubles that bring you no value; ill winds that blow no good.
Haman’s decision to kill Mordecai ended up
enriching him, Daniel’s persecution for his praying was an avenue for his
promotion, and Goliath was David’s intro to national limelight.
Sadly, few of our real life ‘enemies’ fall into
this category. Most of the things and people that bug us add nothing to us in
the end. Petty quarrels, pesky headaches, office squabbles that affect your
productivity, unbearable neighbours that spoil your mood for the rest of the
day… ‘Houseless Giants’.
Get your priorities straight today. Jesus’
enemy, Judas, helped Him fulfil His destiny; any ‘enemy’ of yours that’s not
doing same seriously does not deserve your time. Focus on the struggles that
matter; not every ‘giant’ you meet in life is meant to be confronted.
SELAH.
More Blessings await
you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.
GREG ELKAN
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