Taking Possession Little By Little (Part 2)
“Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.” Exodus 23:30 NKJV
We live in an age where we become expectant of immediate results. If we get a revelation of something from God’s Word, we expect that God will bring that about that very day. If we do not see it realized by the following day, then we think something must be wrong or something in God’s Word is not working. We could all learn patience in the things of God. Consider the prophets of the Old Testament. They gave prophetic utterances which would not take place for generations if not for thousands of years. All things of God come in His timing, not on the day you begin to understand His will and Word.
Here is my question for you: “What are you believing God’s Word for?” If you have yet to see it, do not become discouraged. Keep your eyes on Him and anticipate its fulfillment at the perfect time for you. In Exodus the people were being told of their eventual entrance into the Promised Land. God has told them that He would drive out before them the inhabitants of the Promised Land. But look what He says in Chapter 23, “But I will not drive them out in a single year because the land will become desolate…Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.”
God was telling them that he would not give them the entire possession all at once because they would not be able to inhabit it. By its lack of inhabitation it would become wild, overgrown, and unproductive and the wild animals would overtake it. He would not give them all of the Promised Land until they were able to control and maintain it.
Too often we think that we are ready for God’s promises right away. Because He cares for us and wants to see us be productive in all that He has entrusted to us, He is measured in how much he releases to us. Just because you have not seen the entirety of the promises and blessings of God’s Word, does not mean the promises are not working or have, for some reason, been revoked. Work to be productive and faithful with what you do have and watch as God releases more to you.
This is a lesson that I am still in the process of learning. But I know this however, Jesus will lead us into all that we have been given to possess and care for “little by little” as he drives out the inhabitants of your promised land.
J Todd Hostetler