Sometimes stories are often told in layers, jumping forward and backward, and keeping three or four story lines going at once. This is one of those times.
If the story of Caleb and the tribe of Judah sounds familiar, it is. You can refresh your memory by reading Joshua 15. But we find several details here that we didn’t have before. Specifically, the way in which the Israelite’s disobeyed God by interacting with the people around them. I found it interesting in today’s reading that God said He left some land under pagan control just to see if the Israelites would obey Him or not. Some land was left unconquered to test their resolve. Sadly, the nation failed that test and began commingling with the people who preceded them. Such behavior was strictly forbidden…they were not to intermarry or associate with the Canaanites or other peoples.
Thinking of our spiritual lives, I wonder if there is a parallel? Does God point out some areas of our life that are not yet under His control, just to see if we will deny ourselves by avoiding them? Is God developing our ability to resist temptation and “channel” the Holy Spirit’s power by allowing some areas to temporarily remain unconquered?
Clearly, God wants us to be sin free; but don’t we commonly accept that is a process? If it’s a process, then there are sin-stained areas of our life that aren’t quickly cleansed, areas that we aren’t proud of, or that we approve of; areas that we should be praying against and avoiding. We should have some areas that are slowly dying out, as we spiritually become stronger. And, if the metaphor holds true, there will come a day when we are spiritually strong enough to permanently rid ourselves of these blighted areas of our soul.
Would such a perspective help us be compassionate as we deal with people who aren’t perfect? (you know…because WE are…)
I mean, maybe if we accept that God hasn’t given victory over every part of our life YET, then we look with compassion and empathy upon those who are battling addictions, desires and attitudes that don’t line up with our faith. I’m not saying that we approve of bad behavior, but we should continue to love, and act in love every opportunity that we have….instead of passing judgment and insisting on conformity.
How do we know what God has allowed to remain in another persons life temporarily? Maybe they aren’t strong enough to fight that battle yet, or maybe God wants to see how they react to the presence of this sin in their life. Will they recoil against it, or will they begin to accept it and embrace it?
Of course, the same thoughts that are true for others apply to us as well. Maybe God has allowed something to remain in your life that you know should leave….just to see how you react to it…..or maybe He is in the process of making you stronger so you CAN defeat it at a later date.
Be encouraged! God isn’t going to allow you to be defeated! Do whatever He asks, in the way that He says, and in the end, YOU WIN!
Faithfully,
PR