I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate, and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. Exodus 23:29, 30 (New American Standard Bible)
I could identify with this verse as there have been times in the past where I grabbed my sword and shield and was ready to rush into my Promised Land with reckless abandon. There was not a time I did not return bloody and bowed down due to my impulsiveness. I went in with the intent to possess the land but didn’t know there would be so many spiritual prowling beasts still there. I can see now why the Lord allowed his people to possess the land little by little. It was for their protection and safety. The responsibility was still theirs to go in and fight the battle but the timing was the Lord’s. He said He would send His angel before them (Exodus 23:23).
I appreciated Jennifer’s insight. Joshua and the Israelites did indeed finally get into the land and the possession was mostly finished when David defeated the Jebusites at Jerusalem (2nd Samuel 5:7). If one travels to Israel today there is no countrywide presence of Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites or Jebusites to be found; just Israelites. God did it in the four-letter word we all love to hate: T-I-M-E. I can more easily understand that concept now. Because my prayers aren’t being answered the way I want right now can only mean my promised land may not be totally prepared. Having it all handed to me would overwhelm me. It still means there are wild beasts and other dangers that need to be dealt with. As God has gone before all His saints in battle, so He goes before us all as we persevere; little by little but it’s still being accomplished. That’s pretty awesome.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
I had an interesting conversation with my friend, Jennifer, this past week. I was discussing with her how it often seems that years and years of prayer for certain things seem to have availed me tiny gains and, in fact, a couple of situations I am praying for seem to be growing more difficult. She reminded me of this passage in Exodus where the Lord promised to drive out the enemies of Israel from the Promised Land totally, but that, in His wisdom, He would do it little by little. He did it that way so His people would not be plagued by desolation of the land or overwhelmed by dangerous beasts of the field.
I could identify with this verse as there have been times in the past where I grabbed my sword and shield and was ready to rush into my Promised Land with reckless abandon. There was not a time I did not return bloody and bowed down due to my impulsiveness. I went in with the intent to possess the land but didn’t know there would be so many spiritual prowling beasts still there. I can see now why the Lord allowed his people to possess the land little by little. It was for their protection and safety. The responsibility was still theirs to go in and fight the battle but the timing was the Lord’s. He said He would send His angel before them (Exodus 23:23).
I appreciated Jennifer’s insight. Joshua and the Israelites did indeed finally get into the land and the possession was mostly finished when David defeated the Jebusites at Jerusalem (2nd Samuel 5:7). If one travels to Israel today there is no countrywide presence of Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites or Jebusites to be found; just Israelites. God did it in the four-letter word we all love to hate: T-I-M-E. I can more easily understand that concept now. Because my prayers aren’t being answered the way I want right now can only mean my promised land may not be totally prepared. Having it all handed to me would overwhelm me. It still means there are wild beasts and other dangers that need to be dealt with. As God has gone before all His saints in battle, so He goes before us all as we persevere; little by little but it’s still being accomplished. That’s pretty awesome.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
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