After the death of Joshua, the LORD wanted Israel to continue the work HE started! The LORD was with them!
Jdg 1:4-5, Then Judah went up, AND THE LORD DELIVERED THE CANAANITES AND THE PERIZZITES INTO THEIR HAND; and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek. And they found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek, and FOUGHT AGAINST HIM; AND THEY DEFEATED THE CANAANITES AND THE PERIZZITES.
Jdg 1:28-29, And it came to pass, WHEN ISRAEL WAS STRONG, that they put the Canaanites under tribute, BUT DID NOT COMPLETELY DRIVE THEM OUT. Nor did Ephraim DRIVE OUT THE CANAANITES WHO DWELT IN GEZER; SO THE CANAANITES DWELT IN GEZER AMONG THEM.
the LORD made Israel strong yet they didn’t complete the work GOD wanted them to do! ISRAEL WAS SATISFIED WITH LESS THAN WHAT GOD WANTED FOR THEM! IN THE SAME WE ROB OURSELVES BLESSINGS THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE US BECAUSE WE BECOME SATISFIED FAR WITH LESS OF WHAT HE INTENDED! DON’T BE SATISFIED WITH JUST SERVING, BUT DO THE WORK HE INTENDED YOU TO DO! HE HAS SO MUCH MORE FOR US!
Jer 29:11, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.