Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Wed., 3/12/08 Devotion (Ex. 23:30)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 23:30, where we read these words:

"Little by little I will drive them [the Canaanites, et. al.] out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land."

Sanctification is a bit-by-bit process.  Whereas justification is an instantaneous, one time event--wherein we are regenerated from death to life--sanctification is progressive.  We would not want all of Christ's sanctifying blessings in one fell swoop.  To so receive them would be to try to drink from a fire hose.  Instead, God metes out His growth in His children little-by-little.

Be satisfied with this arrangement; and recognize that it is actually quite merciful.  It is good for us to have to learn to fight and defeat a few "Canaanites" every once in a while.  If the whole land were forever cleared of them, we might well grow complacent.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If is one mercy for God to love the soul, and another mercy for God to assure the soul of His love."   --Thomas Brooks, in "Heaven on Earth"]