Force, Not Faith | Judges 18:25-29

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Our text today is Judges 18:25-29.

And the people of Dan said to him, “Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall upon you, and you lose your life with the lives of your household.” Then the people of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home. But the people of Dan took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire. And there was no deliverer because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. Then they rebuilt the city and lived in it. And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was Laish at the first. — Judges 18:25-29

The Danites finally get what they wanted—a city, a priest, and a name. From the outside, it looks like triumph. But it’s all built on theft and deceit. They conquered Laish not through faith, but through force.

God never told them to take this land. They took it because it was easy. They called it “God’s will,” but it was just willpower.

That’s how sin disguises itself: it borrows the language of faith to bless the work of the flesh.
The Danites built a city on the illusion of success. But anything built on disobedience will eventually collapse.

We have all done this: We push instead of pray. We manipulate instead of trusting. We use strength, strategy, and spin to get what we want—and then call it God’s blessing. But real victory never comes by force.

It comes by faith. Faith waits when force demands. Faith obeys when ambition rushes. Faith surrenders when pride insists.

The tribe of Dan won a city—but lost its way. Don't lose your way, do things God's way.

ASK THIS:

1. Where have you been pushing by force instead of walking by faith?
2. Have you ever mistaken human success for God’s blessing?
3. What would it look like to stop striving and start trusting?
4. How can you rebuild what’s been done your way, God’s way?

DO THIS:

• Pause before your next decision—ask, “Am I forcing this, or is God leading it?”
• Read Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

PRAY THIS:

Lord, keep me from building by force what You’ve called me to build by faith. I don’t want hollow victories or false success—only what’s done in Your strength and truth. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Wait On You.”