Even If It Is Forest Land, Clear It Yourself (Joshua 17:14–18)
Even If It Is Forest Land, Clear It Yourself (Joshua 17:14–18) 1/11/2026
God has given our church the covenant of blessing that we are to enjoy this year: “a church that bears the fruit of the three courtyards.” For this purpose, He has also given each of us a covenant of blessing to enjoy personally—that He will use us as witnesses, leaders, and spiritual commanders. This is the blessing of the three summits.
God will surely answer and bless us. When will this happen? Through the book of Joshua, God shows that when He worked miracles and gave unprecedented answers, there were at least three conditions. When we receive salvation and become children of God, there is only one condition. It is to believe in and receive Christ, whom God sent as the way of salvation (Romans 10:10; John 1:12). To “accept” means to accept His love, His grace, and His touch (Revelation 3:20). This can hardly even be called a condition. However, enjoying the answers and blessings God gives is different. For this, God established three conditions.
First, we must believe the promised Word God has given as our own (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Canaan was not conquered automatically. God intended to use Israel so that everything would become a testimony. This is why the Ark of the Covenant was placed at the front when crossing the Jordan and during the conquest wars, including Jericho. The Jordan River would certainly part. This was God’s promise. The issue was to believe without falling into unbelief, no matter what problems or circumstances arose. That is why God commanded them to cross when the Jordan water was flooding (Joshua 3:15). This is also why they were told not to speak a word while marching around Jericho (Joshua 6:10), to prevent even momentary thoughts or words of unbelief from emerging. Therefore, we must guard our hearts, our thoughts, and the words of our lips (Psalm 19:14; 1 Peterr 3:10).
Second, it is our choice in everyday life, especially when problems and crises come (Matthew 7:13–14). The choice of one person determines not only oneself, but one’s family, lineage, and eternal future. A representative model of this is Caleb’s choice. He made choices based on three standards, and the results were tremendous, becoming an eternal masterpiece in his descendants. It was a choice that held on to the “only” and the “absolute.” It was a gospel-centered choice. It was a choice made with the posture of a spiritual leader, a choice of true devotion. It was a choice as a spiritual commander, a choice made by a bartizan, a watchman, and a warrior.
There is a third condition, which is spoken of in today’s passage. It is when we hold on to God’s absolute covenant and challenge ourselves.
In the text, the tribe of Joseph appears and asks for more land. This was not mere greed. The descendants of Joseph had grown so numerous that they were divided into the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, and they genuinely needed more land. Joshua, from the tribe of Ephraim, understood this well.
At this point, Joshua told them to take the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim and to clear it. That land had many valleys and was inhabited by people with iron chariots. Why did he give such a command? He was telling them to challenge themselves. And promising that God would work when they did.
This is similar to how William Carey, once a shoemaker, changed the missionary movement of the 18th century with his words: “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” Though he had no formal education, he challenged himself.
- We must make a challenge of faith that holds onto the promise. This is a fundamental challenge.
1) Conquering that land was God’s absolute reason. Christ had to come through that land in the future, and first, everything about God’s people there had to become a testimony. Our adversary, the devil, blocks the path and all blessings of God’s people, but because of this absolute reason, he must be broken.
2) For that absolute reason, God has promised and will help. Therefore, we must challenge ourselves. No matter how strong they were with iron chariots, if God helped, they could be driven out (v. 18).
3) This was God’s absolute and special plan for the tribe of Joseph. It was a mission entrusted with God’s confidence to those strong enough to be divided into the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. They were so important that a leader like Joshua came from among them. It is no coincidence that later, in the age of the Judges, five of the twelve judges came from the tribe of Joseph. God was training in advance those whom He would use greatly. This is how children should be raised as well, and why difficult tasks are entrusted in workplaces. It becomes training and leads to greater usefulness.
- We must challenge ourselves to create space for God to work. This is the prayer of those who hold on to the covenant. Build prayer bartizans, become prayer watchmen, become prayer warriors. This is the blessing we must truly challenge ourselves to receive.
1) Only when we pray do we see visions worth challenging, gain courage, and ignite passion (Joel 2:28). This is why Joshua continually meditated on the Word and rose early in the morning to pray before doing anything (Joshua 3:1; 6:12).
2) Only when we pray are we given the strength to challenge ourselves, and God promises to work without ceasing (Isaiah 62:6–7). This was the vision given in prayer to Zerubbabel, who had lost courage in the face of rebuilding the temple amid extreme hardship (Zechariah 4:6–14).
3) Only when we pray, the forces of darkness that block and oppose us are broken (Mark 9:29). When that darkness is shattered, God reigns over us, blesses us, and leads us to victory, this state is the Kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28). Denzel Washington, a prominent Christian actor in the United States, has testified that it was his mother’s prayers that saved him from a life that could have ended in prison, and that prayer is the secret that enabled him to stand as a man of God in Hollywood, a place filled with temptation and competition.
- We must challenge ourselves to save all nations. This is the challenge for evangelism and missions.
1) This is God’s desire and His conclusion (Matthew 24:14). The command to clear and conquer difficult land was about expanding the territory of God’s chosen Israel. Expanding the territory of God’s Kingdom in this land is evangelism and missions. This is why our church holds on to the covenant of 3,000 disciples, 300 local churches, and 30 nations. Begin by challenging yourself with even one disciple.
2) When we are in evangelism and missions, all the authority and power of Christ are revealed (Matthew 28:18–20). When the disciples went out to save all nations, the Lord on the throne worked together with them (Mark 16:19–20). This is the meaning behind the promise that we would do the works He did and even greater works (John 14:12–14). Challenge yourself in health, in academics, and in your work for the sake of evangelism and missions (300% challenge).
3) Challenge yourself financially as well. The promised blessing when we focus on evangelism and missions is economic blessing (Isaiah 60:3–4). It is not first about earning a lot of money to devote. Rather, devote with faith that even what is small in your hands can be used by God. The small offering of a child produced the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. By spending a little less on what we want and holding a little less for ourselves, and dedicating it to evangelism and missions, miracles are made and eternal masterpieces are built.
Conclusion – As you continue to meditate and pray this year, ask yourself what God is calling you to challenge yourself for. God will show you specifically where to step out in faith. May our challenges this year, those that others do not see (the challenge of Nothing), that others do not do (the challenge of No one), and that are made while looking to God alone (the challenge of Nobody), become the greatest answers and blessings of the year.
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