Tuesday, January 19, 2010

His Work and His Time


I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. Exodus 23:30 (New American Standard Bible)


God gave the children of Israel insight into the way He would lead them into the promised land and how He would bring them to the place of possessing that promised land. As they walked in obedience with Him, He would drive out their enemies and cause His people to be fruitful and to acquire the land of promise. Their inheritance and territory! It would not be a quick and easy process. It would take years. God would work according to His wisdom and His timetable.

I have often watched with fascination the programs which show the make-over of homes. One show demolishes an entire house and rebuilds it beautifully in one weekend! While it is possible to do that with a house, God is letting me know that is not the way growth and victory in the Christian life comes about. His words to Israel are His words to me and His words to you. I am in need of His reminder each morning. I need to hear Him say He is transforming and remaking me little by little.

His process is usually one that exposes my thought patterns, mindsets, weaknesses, and areas of need in order to show me what needs to go and what needs to be embraced. God is faithfully “driving out” those things in me that would hinder me from flourishing and acquiring all that He offers. It is a word that means to divorce. To allow Him to divorce me from how I have come to think, act, and speak. To allow Him to teach me the truth about myself, the way the enemy works, the things He has equipped me with, the power of prayer and speaking His words over my life and circumstances, the authority of the believer, the balance of looking to Him and receiving encouragement through the body of Christ, and many more things. There are days His revelations to me are profound and immediate change is forthcoming. But there are many more days when the steps are small and the progress seems slow. Either way, God is the one who sets the pace for this journey. He is the one who drives things out of my life little by little. I rejoice in the tiniest work and the hugest manifestations of His operations.

Father, You are as present and meticulous with me as You were with the entire nation of Israel in Old Testament times. You know where You are leading me and how You will get me there. I choose to watch You, listen to You, and follow Your lead. Not in my flesh but by Your Spirit. I delight in all You are doing! Amen.

Potter's Hand - Darlene Zshech (Hillsong)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDAITgJXO1I&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.