Grow into Your Future

One Year Bible
Old Testament passage for Wednesday, February 6, 2013:  Exodus 23:14-25:40

²⁹ I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.  Exodus 23:29-30 (NKJV)

God has a wonderful future in store for you.  The children of Israel are an example for us.  They were set free from bondage in Egypt so that they could go to a land of promise.  The goal was not just to escape slavery, but to enter destiny.  

The amazing thing is that deliverance from Egypt was the quick and easy part.  It was certainly dramatic with major fireworks at every step.  It was done in a matter of days.  It was the "entering in" phase however took a lifetime.
We need to remember that Jesus saved us not just to transport us to heaven and live in an eternal retirement home.  He saved us to bring us to full stature as sons and daughters of God.  He brought you out so that you could grow into ORIGINAL PURPOSE (see Dt. 6:23).

Justification is the process whereby we are made RIGHTEOUS.  It takes place instantly when we put our faith in Jesus.  Then begins the lifelong process called SANCTIFICATION, which means we are remade in the image of Jesus.  We become like Him in all aspects of our being.  And that takes time!

We are like millionaires that are learning to handle our fortune.  If we got it all in one gigantic deposit, we would probably squander it away in a short while.  So, the Lord tells us that He will give us our inheritance "little by little."  If He gave it all at once, we would not know how to handle it.  So, as a good Father, He calls us to GROW INTO OUR INHERITANCE. 

It is exciting when we begin to discover the land God has promised us.  It is wonderful.  This is why it is so important for every follower of Jesus to grow in the Lord.  Peter echoes this when he writes to us, "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever."  (I Peter 3:18)