Forced Labour

Initially the Canaanites were strong and Manasseh wasn’t able to drive them out. 
However, when Manasseh grew strong, they choose not to drive the Canaanites out, but rather to keep them for forced labour;
what they could get from them. 
The same thing is happening in our lives. 
As we grow in Christ there are some things, habits, thought patterns, etc., that we have difficulty overcoming easily. 
But as we grow stronger, there are some thing, habits, thought patterns, etc., that we choose to hold on to for what we can get from them.
Because Manasseh didn’t force out all of the Canaanites, they fell into idolatry and were led astray from their relationship with the Lord. 
In the same way, those things we allow in our lives, that we believe we have control over (forced labour) will ultimately take control of us leading to idolatry and a leading astray from our relationship with the Lord. 
The Lord’s message to the people, through Joshua, was to go out and possess the land, not to go out and share the land with those who you believe you can control. 
The Lord gives us the same command with regards to our bodies, minds and lives.
 He instructs us to possess that which He has granted us. 
Are you ready to go out and possess the land today? 
No compromises!