When You Don’t Finish the Fight | Judges 1:16-21

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Our text today is Judges 1:16-21:

“And the descendants of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up with the people of Judah from the city of palms into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the Negeb near Arad, and they went and settled with the people. And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah. Judah also captured Gaza with its territory, and Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory. And the Lord was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron. And Hebron was given to Caleb, as Moses had said. And he drove out from it the three sons of Anak. But the people of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem, so the Jebusites have lived with the people of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.” — Judges 1:16-21

At first glance, things still seem to be moving forward. Judah fights. Victories are won. Cities are claimed. Hormah is renamed after a devastating defeat of the Canaanites. Caleb continues to drive out giants.

However, the cracks soon begin to appear.

Judah takes the hill country, but they stop short in the plains. Why? Iron chariots. A visible enemy with intimidating strength. And then there’s Benjamin. They don’t even drive the enemy out. They just let them live there.

This is where the shift happens. The faith-filled obedience we saw earlier begins to give way to fear-based compromise.

The Lord was with Judah, but that didn’t mean it would be easy. Obedience never guarantees comfort. It guarantees conflict with our flesh, our fears, and our enemy.

And here’s the truth: any area we leave unconquered becomes a future foothold for the enemy. What we tolerate today may torment us tomorrow. Compromise is subtle. We tell ourselves, “I’ve done enough.” Or “This part isn’t so bad.” Or “It’s too hard to deal with now.” But unfinished obedience is still disobedience. And letting sin live beside us only weakens our walk.

So what have you left unfinished? What stronghold are you ignoring? Where have you stopped short of full surrender?

Today’s the day to pick up the fight again. Don’t settle where God has called you to conquer.

ASK THIS:

1. Where have I grown passive in my obedience?
2. What’s the “iron chariot” I’ve been afraid to face?
3. Am I tolerating sin that should be driven out?
4. What would full obedience look like in this season?

DO THIS:

Identify one area of compromise and take one bold step toward obedience today.

PRAY THIS:

God, expose the places I’ve compromised. Give me the courage to fight again and finish what you’ve asked me to do. Amen

PLAY THIS:

"Battle Belongs."