Unlike Joshua, to whom this commission was given, we are not called to physically eject the Canaanites from God's Promised Land. Our enemies, however, are no less real than the giant Anakims whom the Israelites feared - they are the world, the flesh, and the devil, and they have a formidable arsenal of weapons with which to destroy us. The world persecutes or deludes; the devil flatters, tempts, or threatens; but worst of all is the flesh, which makes us vulnerable to the other two.
Knowing that we can never survive such an onslaught in our own strength, God has given us wonderful promises: "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33); "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4:7); "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able" (1 Cor. 10:13). If we abide in Him, He has promised that nothing can "by any means" hurt us (Luke 10:19), for we are covered by the shield of faith, sheltered by the love of Christ from which nothing can separate us. In every trial, we can be "more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Rom. 8:35-37).
All Scripture references from KJV. Commentary ©2011 Hitchcock Family Ministry. Unaltered text may be reproduced freely without financial gain. Original commentary and Scripture song available at http://www.freescripturesongs.org/be-strong-and-of-a-good-courage.