It is early in a new year as I write this, and there is a tendency to focus on change and growth during such times. Out with the old, in with the new, so to speak...

With that being my "frame of mind", as I was reading a passage in Exodus this morning, a portion of one paragraph seemed to "jump out" at me. God is speaking to the Israelites, as He is beginning to introduce the "law" to them through Moses. He is letting them know what He desires for, and expects of them. As He talks about how He will establish them among the nations surrounding them at the time, He speaks these words:

"...I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land." Exodus 23:29-30

Surely, God was talking about their future victories among the surrounding nations of that day... Yet perhaps this word might be applicable today, in a spiritual sense as well. I know in my life there are areas in which I want to grow, and "take possession" of better spiritual "land" (and surely God desires it for me as well). Sometimes, these "changes" don't happen quite as quickly as I (or some of my loved ones) would hope. At times, it seems I'm learning the same lessons over and over ... getting a little better with each go 'round ... but often wishing to be healed or changed all at once.

Surely, God can heal, change and give us the "victory" all at once. Yet sometimes in His all-knowing wisdom perhaps He decides to do things more slowly, more surely, more permanently in our lives. After all, if it took over forty years for me to get this way, maybe I can be a little patient and let Him take His time to change me.

Bless His holy Name, that His desire is to change, heal and bless us. Praise God that He is patient with us. I pray that in His time, He will have His way in all of our lives...little by little.