March 2

Exodus 23:29-30 (NIV)
29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.

God thinks so differently than us! We think, let’s get rid of all of our enemies, kick them out of the land and be done with them and the battle. God is thinking that isn’t such a good idea – He wants the enemies in the land for a while and for us to engage in battle for a long time. If God gave us the physical victory in a moment, we would be free from battle. That seems so good! However, the Word tells us that the land would become desolate and the wild animals would take over and overpower us. If God gives us everything in a moment then our lives would not be taken over by Him, they would be free of enemies, until another type of enemy comes in and rules. Are you getting this? God in His mercy keeps us engaged in the battle so after we have conquered with His strength and power areas of our lives that were enemy territory – those areas that we couldn’t seem to control and they got us into trouble of one sort or another – then we can actually occupy, or better yet, the Spirit can occupy those areas so we continue to walk in victory. The battle keeps us sharp!

These wild animals that would be too numerous, what do they represent for us? Many things I suppose, but one thing is clear – they become too much for us. Oh how I have wished that I would just be done with the inner struggles and battles, but I suppose if I was done with them, I would have the outer struggles that would take over. With the inner struggles being won little by little, I stay in the struggle, I stay in hope, I stay on my knees, and the wild animals have little chance of occupying any territory giving to and won for my Jesus.

Maybe we should take a moment and thank the Lord for the daily battles and daily consecration and that we haven’t been taken over by exterior spiritual forces.