117. Drive Out the Enemies in the Land
Deuteronomu11:23 Then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
The “then” of this verse follows an “if” in the previous verse, making this a conditional promise. If you keep these commandments, and do them, and love the Lord your God, walk in His ways, and cleave to Him, then the Lord will drive out these nations and you will possess them. Moses reaffirmed the stipulations and the consequent blessings of the Covenant on the plains of Moab just before entering the Promised Land. The nation of Israel was about to invade and conquer and drive out enemy nations living in the Land that God had promised to His covenant people. The Lord will drive them out if they fear, love and trust in God above all things. If not, “you are on your own.” You won’t get far without me. They tried it before, and lost.
The Land is the Kingdom of God that Jesus has placed in our hearts. In that land where the Lord reigns, however, are anti-God, anti-good, anti-life false gods, demon idols, false religions and worldly philosophies whose avowed purpose is to harm, destroy and kill us. And they will, if we do not drive them out. We recognize that Satanic lies, worldly temptations, and selfish deceits are stronger than we are. If the Lord of armies, Jesus the Victor, does not go into the mind and the emotions and drive out these strongholds, we won’t, we can’t, and we lose.
Repentance says, “I am weak, I am the sinner, I am lost. Forgive me!” Faith says, “Jesus is strong, He is righteous, He finds and rescues me.” Then He fights for me, drives out the evil enemies within, and gives me possession of the Kingdom.