The verse from 1 Kings 9:20 (KJV) reads: "And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel." At first glance, this verse speaks to the historical and cultural context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan and the nations that remained. However, delving deeper into this scripture beckons us to reflect on our spiritual inheritance and the remnants of our past that can serve both as a challenge and a catalyst in our walk with God.

**Old Giants in Our Lives**

In the journey of life, much like the Israelites, we encounter various "giants"—the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites of our contemporary existence. These giants symbolize the remnants of our past experiences and influences that can either hinder or help in our spiritual growth. We may not be battling earthly kingdoms, but we wrestle with spiritual forces, personal struggles, contrasting values, and remnants of our old selves. These are the left-over influences from a life before knowing Christ, which attempt to assert themselves in our renewed identity.

In the New Testament, Paul speaks to this in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." However, the challenge remains; while we are new creations, the remnants of our past—the threats of bitterness, old habits, and former relationships—do not automatically dissipate. Acknowledging their existence is the first step to overcoming them.

**God's Promises Amidst the Leftovers**

God made a covenant with His people, promising that despite the struggles they would face, He would never leave them nor forsake them. Similarly, we are reminded of the righteousness Christ bestowed upon us. In the face of the leftovers—those aspects of our life that do not align with our new identity—we have the assurance that God supports us. Romans 8:31 reassures us: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" This assurance empowers us to confront the giants in our lives, rooted in the understanding that God’s grace is sufficient for us.

**A Call to Engage**

The presence of these leftover peoples in Canaan did not mean that Israel could ignore them or dismiss their influence. Instead, it called for engagement and discernment. God instructed the Israelites to not intermarry or adopt their practices (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Similarly, we are called to be discerning in how we engage with the remnants of our past. We should ask ourselves: Are we going to be influenced by our past, or will we allow our newfound faith to reshape our identity?

As believers, we must rise to the challenge of addressing these remnants. They may serve as effective reminders of grace. Each time we confront a leftover from our old life, we have the opportunity to testify to the transformative power of Christ. It is through our struggles that our testimonies become more profound.

**The Legacy We Build**

As we continue our journey, we must also remember that our decisions today will have lasting consequences. Just as the leftover peoples influenced the generations that followed, our lives today serve as examples to those around us. Let our choice to engage with a transformed life inspire others to overcome the influences of their past and lead them towards the promise of redemption and rebirth in Christ.

The essence of 1 Kings 9:20 reaches far beyond a historical account; it invites introspection and action. It reminds us that while remnants might remain, they do not define us. Our legacy is carved not out of the leftover giants but through the victory that Christ has already won. Let us strive to embrace our spiritual inheritance and live a life that glorifies God amid any leftover challenges.