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Remember way back when in Exodus, Moses ordered the twelve men to go into Canaan and survey the land? Remember they were so terrified, and ten of the twelve made a decision that would cost them their lives – they would not go into God-given land? Remember the reason for their fear? Giants.
It’s true. There really were giants in the land. A clan of men of legendary size and strength lived in Canaan near Hebron. They descended from Anak, hence called Anakites. They were real, fierce and powerful. By the time we get to Joshua 14, Israel was at the end of a seven-year winning streak. So, forty seven years later, the giants are still there.
There are all kinds of enemies in our land. There were Canaanites of all kinds.
The Canaanite clans were Sidon, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites. From reading Deuteronomy 18, we can safely assume that every abomination mentioned was practiced by the Canaanites.
But, Canaanites were not Anakites. Anakites were the giants.
Giants are a different kind of enemy - something bigger than big, something scary, and something that makes our hearts melt in fear. Giants make us feel small, insignificant, as if there is no solution – we will be swallowed up, it’s the end of us. A giant can be… in a physical place, a person or persons, something that keeps coming back into our lives. A giant can be fierce, stubborn, embedded, a sin, evil. Giants are connected to our fears.
Joshua’s best friend, Caleb, wanted Hebron. In fact, God had given it to him when he first laid eyes on it all those years ago. So, what does he do? He goes into the land and removes the giants. He drives them out. He keeps them out and he sets up housekeeping for God. Talk about a do-over!
Have you identified a giant in your life? You want a clue? It’s probably associated with a great fear in your life. As you and I identify our giants, if your next thought is ‘God gave this land to me and I’m going to take it!’, then you’re beginning to think victory!
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I am so "fired up" about this continuation of Joshua! As I begin to reread the pages covered at the retreat and listen to Suzanne's heartfelt Holy Spirit-inspired words on Tuesday, something becomes very clear to me. Through all of our Crossings along our earthly journeys, if we are not communicating with our Lord (which in my case would be listening to Him more than talking to Him) then how can we be sure of the path we are on? How can we really be in the place He wants us to be? How can we possibly be effectively doing His work here on earth? I think Settling our Sins with Him is "right on". If we don't, how can we "move on"? Someone told me once that if we keep bringing up skeletons(past sins) and asking for forgiveness then it's as if we don't trust that we are indeed forgiven. This really made an impression-I had no idea that I wasn't trusting God! After all, He knows our hearts better than we do. Not Setting our Sins with Him can really weigh us down and keep us from living the life He wants for us. I will miss you all tonight. i am out of town, but will ee you back on the 15th.
Jane Brocato
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