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Exodus 23:29-30
"But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals would multiply and threaten you. I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to take possession of the land.” |
God’s blessing and His fulfillment of that blessing often occur over the course of time. The older I get and the further I walk, the more I am able to clearly see His hand of faithfulness. God continues to provide and fulfill His promises along life’s journey.
The Bible gives us many examples. David was anointed as king years before he was appointed as king. God’s promise was true the moment it was spoken. However, it took time before David and those around him were able to visibly see the promise come to pass. Joseph had a God-given dream that took years to become fulfilled (Genesis 37:5). Abraham left his familiar land to inherit land he didn’t know how to reach (Hebrews 11:8).
Oftentimes, the beginning of our journey appears to be heading in the opposite direction of the fulfillment of God’s promise. Joseph didn’t mention prison in his dreams, but it was actually his time in prison that prepared him to rule the land, which later led to the fulfillment of the promise (Genesis 45:7-8). It was David’s confrontation with lions and bears that prepared him for his unforeseen battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34-36). Even Jesus himself “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).”
I am reminded that delays are not the same as denials! They are simply preparation for what is to come. Let us celebrate that our Father not only has good things in store for us, but He also takes the time to prepare us for those things He has in store (Ephesians 2:10). He knows what we need even before we ask for it, and He is a faithful Provider of all good things to fulfill our created purpose!
Lord, thank you for creating us with purpose and completing the good work you start in each of us. Help us to not get discouraged as you prepare us for what lies ahead. Thank you for molding us, shaping us, and training us to walk in the land that is already ours. It is in Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen!
The Bible gives us many examples. David was anointed as king years before he was appointed as king. God’s promise was true the moment it was spoken. However, it took time before David and those around him were able to visibly see the promise come to pass. Joseph had a God-given dream that took years to become fulfilled (Genesis 37:5). Abraham left his familiar land to inherit land he didn’t know how to reach (Hebrews 11:8).
Oftentimes, the beginning of our journey appears to be heading in the opposite direction of the fulfillment of God’s promise. Joseph didn’t mention prison in his dreams, but it was actually his time in prison that prepared him to rule the land, which later led to the fulfillment of the promise (Genesis 45:7-8). It was David’s confrontation with lions and bears that prepared him for his unforeseen battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34-36). Even Jesus himself “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).”
I am reminded that delays are not the same as denials! They are simply preparation for what is to come. Let us celebrate that our Father not only has good things in store for us, but He also takes the time to prepare us for those things He has in store (Ephesians 2:10). He knows what we need even before we ask for it, and He is a faithful Provider of all good things to fulfill our created purpose!
Lord, thank you for creating us with purpose and completing the good work you start in each of us. Help us to not get discouraged as you prepare us for what lies ahead. Thank you for molding us, shaping us, and training us to walk in the land that is already ours. It is in Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen!