renaming Leshem

Joshua 19:40-48 (JDV)

Joshua 19:40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of Dan’s descendants by their clans.
Joshua 19:41 The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh,
Joshua 19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
Joshua 19:43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
Joshua 19:44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
Joshua 19:45 Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon,
Joshua 19:46 Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the territory facing Joppa.
Joshua 19:47 When the territory of the descendants of Dan slipped out of their control, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and struck it down with the sword. So they took possession of it, lived there, and renamed Leshem after their ancestor Dan.
Joshua 19:48 This was the inheritance of the tribe of Dan’s descendants by their clans, these cities with their settlements.

renaming Leshem

When the Danites took possession of Leshem, they renamed it. Its former reputation and significance did not matter anymore. What mattered was the reputation and significance of their tribe, and their purpose.

In a similar way, when we set our sights on a territory, a family, or a nation, to win those people to Christ and his kingdom, we should not lose too much sleep over what Satan has done to that territory in the past. The past is past. What matters is how we go about reshaping the future of that territory. Jesus is going to make all things new, and we can begin that process by reclaiming and renaming.

If it helps you to do so, why not give your mission a new name. When you come to the Lord in prayer, tell him alone the new name you have given to the territory you are claiming for his coming kingdom.

Lord, give us a vision of reclaimed territory — with a new eternal significance.