Little by Little

“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

As the Lord continued His assurance to the Israelites in their future conquest of the Promised Land, which was contingent on their obedience to Him, the Lord spoke of how He would drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites. The Lord would send confusion among the Israelites’ enemies so that they would turn their backs on the Israelites, as well as drive the enemies out of the land. The Lord promised to rid the land of their enemies but not all at once or even in a single year, but little by little. If the enemies were immediately and completely removed, the land could have become desolate and the beasts of the field would be too great in number for the Israelites. By not immediately removing the enemies of the land, the Israelites would not be overwhelmed with the risk of desolation of the land or the overpopulation of the beasts of the land but the Israelites would gradually overtake the land as they became fruitful and increased in number while their enemies were gradually driven out and decreased in number.

Think of situations and circumstances in your life as it relates to a trial, challenge, difficulty, or opposition. God may not choose to drive out, eliminate, or change the circumstance immediately but little by little. He may be preparing you and making you more fruitful while He gradually removes your opposition, changes your circumstance, and paves your way into His plan, purpose, and will for your life. If He removed certain difficulties and opposition all at once, you may become overwhelmed or you may be presently unprepared. Trust God and trust His timing. He will, little by little, drive out opposition until you become fruitful and ready to take possession of His promises for you.