I believe that most Christians are even familiar with the concept of God bringing them not only into saving grace, but a life of abundance while here on this earth. Even so, while reading this passage, parts of it penetrated my heart. I had a difficult time reading past verses one and two because they were so illuminating for me!
These two verses point out that God’s plan for Israel had to do with Him not only bringing them out of Egypt, a house of bondage, but into Canaan, the land of promise. We also see that the land of promise is occupied by Israel’s enemy and God commanded them to rise up and take the land.
As soon as you and I grasp God’s promise for our lives, a battle will quickly ensue. The enemy of our souls doesn’t want our hearts to abide in a place of fruitful abundance. The enemy of our souls doesn’t want to give up a single inch of territory.
Perhaps there are enemies in your own life that you feel are unshakeable. Is there territory that you feel you’ll never re-claim? Let’s go back to the pages of God’s word and see what God told Israel to do.
It may seem uncanny but God told His people to go into the land where their enemy’s dwelt and to take possession of it. They were weak and these nations were greater and stronger than them. However, the first thing we need to realize if we desire to live in the realm of God’s promise for our lives is that we must take action. Let’s be honest, you can’t be healed of depression by pretending it doesn’t exist! If you desire freedom, you must journey to the place of your bondage. And you don’t travel alone. His presence is with and He will keep you.
The enemy paralyzes us with fear because he knows that if we step into action, his demise within our lives is impending.
The second thing we must do is reframe from compromise. In verses two and three God commands, “You shall make no covenant with them or show mercy to them.” The enemy is great at convincing us that a little is enough. We walked around with a mindset where the concept of living completely victorious is unattainable. We are sadly content what little peace, joy, or freedom we have because we assume that heaven is the only place abundance is possible.
How does compromise happen? Here’s what I think: amidst the battle for victory, we get tired. We don’t “feel” like much progress is being made and we can’t see the finish line. So, we decide to rest. Now I’m not slamming rest by any means. God commands us to rest. However, the “rest” we often give ourselves can easily become laziness in our mindset towards the enemy.
We let up and so does he. This is the place where he wants you and I to remain.
We compromise when we doubt the outcome.
Imagine you are playing a game of chess and the prize for winning is a $50 gift card to your favorite store. Before the game starts, you are told that the entire game has been set up in such a way that you will be the winner. You are not told how long the game will last or given any information on your competitor. Now, since you are 100% certain you will win the game, there is absolutely no way at any point, that you would make a compromise with the other player. On the other hand, if the game goes longer than anticipated or becomes really difficult, you may start to doubt what you were told. At that point, a compromise may seem like a smart move.
If you do strike a deal, you will have essentially robbed yourself of two things: victory and reward.
We must not compromise!
Friend, Christ has assured you and me of victory in this life and He always rewards us for obedience!
Let’s move forward and take the land!
Victoriously,
Lauryn Everett
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