We live in a world of "instant." Instant downloads, instant coffee, and instant results. But as we look at the character of God through Scripture, we see a recurring theme: God is more interested in sustainability than speed.
1. The Principle of Preparation (Exodus 23:29-30)
In Exodus, God makes a startling promise to the Israelites. He tells them He is giving them the land, but then He adds a "delay" clause:
"I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land."
God understood that if the Israelites received the entire territory overnight, they wouldn't have the population or the infrastructure to maintain it. The environment would have collapsed, and the "blessing" would have become a burden.
The Lesson: God’s ultimate plans are not instantaneous because He understands exactly what is needed in our environment—and in our character—to sustain the goals He has for us.
2. Our Response: Persistent Obedience
If God works "little by little," how should we respond? We are called to be persistent in His commands. The Israelites still had to march. They still had to be ready. They still had to obey. Our job isn't to force the "ultimate goal" into existence today; our job is to be faithful with the "little by little" progress God provides.
3. The New Testament Connection: The Heart of the Delay
This isn't just an Old Testament concept; it’s a reflection of God’s heart for humanity. We see the spiritual fulfillment of this idea in 2 Peter 3:9:
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
Just as God delayed the conquest of Canaan to ensure the land didn't become a desert, He often "delays" His final promises today out of mercy. What we call "slowness," God calls "longsuffering." He is waiting because there is still a harvest to be gathered. He is waiting because He wants to ensure that when the promise is fulfilled, as many people as possible are ready to inhabit it.
Final Thought
If you feel like you are in a "little by little" season, don't mistake God’s timing for His absence. He isn't being slow; He is being strategic. He is preparing the land for you, and He is preparing you for the land.
Keep marching. Keep obeying. Your "little by little" is leading to a "forever."